Abstract
Tears covering the ocular surface is an important biofluid containing thousands of molecules, including proteins, lipids, metabolites, nucleic acids, and electrolytes. Tears are valuable resources for biomarker research of ocular and even systemic diseases. For application in biomarker studies, tear samples should ideally be stored using a simple, low-cost, and efficient method along with the patient’s medical records. For this purpose, we developed a novel Schirmer’s strip-based dry method that allows for storage of tear samples in vacuum bags at room temperature. This dry method facilitates sample transportation and enables the storage of tear samples on a large scale, increasing the availability of samples for studying disease biomarkers in tears. Using this method, tear protein patterns can also be preserved. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis of proteins recovered from the dry method and traditional wet method showed no significant difference. Some tissue-/organ-enriched proteins were identified in tear; thus tear might be a good window for monitoring the change of these tissues or organs.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Böhm D, Keller K, Pieter J, et al. Comparison of tear protein levels in breast cancer patients and healthy controls using a de novo proteomic approach. Oncol Rep. 2012;28:429–38.
Chen L, Zhou L, Chan EC, et al. Characterization of the human tear metabolome by LC-MS/MS. J Proteome Res. 2011;10:4876–82.
Hagan S, Martin E, Enriquez-de-Salamanca A. Tear fluid biomarkers in ocular and systemic disease: potential use for predictive, preventive and personalised medicine. EPMA J. 2016;7:15.
Lam SM, Tong L, Duan X, et al. Extensive characterization of human tear fluid collected using different techniques unravels the presence of novel lipid amphiphiles. J Lipid Res. 2014;55:289–98.
Lebrecht A, Boehm D, Schmidt M, et al. Diagnosis of breast cancer by tear proteomic pattern. Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2009a;6:177–82.
Lebrecht A, Boehm D, Schmidt M, et al. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry to detect breast cancer markers in tears and serum. Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2009b;6:75–83.
Liang A, Qin W, Zhao C, et al. Unilateral relapse of Behcet’s disease-associated uveitis does not appear to cause asymmetric tear protein profiles. BIORXIV/2018/449074. 2018
Pieragostino D, D’Alessandro M, di Ioia M, et al. Unraveling the molecular repertoire of tears as a source of biomarkers: beyond ocular diseases. Proteomics Clin Appl. 2015a;9:169–86.
Pieragostino D, D’Alessandro M, di Ioia M, et al. Unraveling the molecular repertoire of tears as a source of biomarkers: beyond ocular diseases. Proteomics Clin Appl. 2015b;9(1–2):169–86.
Posa A, Brauer L, Schicht M, et al. Schirmer strip vs. capillary tube method: non-invasive methods of obtaining proteins from tear fluid. Ann Anat Anat Anz. 2013;195:137–42.
Quah JHM, Tong L, Barbier S. Patient acceptability of tear collection in the primary healthcare setting. Optom Vis Sci. 2014;91:452–8.
Uhlen M, Fagerberg L, Hallstrom BM, et al. Proteomics. Tissue-based map of the human proteome. Science. 2015;347:1260419.
von Thun Und Hohenstein-Blaul N, Funke S, Grus FH. Tears as a source of biomarkers for ocular and systemic diseases. Exp Eye Res. 2013;117:126–37.
Weiwei Q, Chan Z, Ting W, et al. A dry method for preserving tear protein samples. Biopreserv Biobank. 2017;15(5):417–21.
Zhou L, Beuerman RW. Tear analysis in ocular surface diseases. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31:527–50.
Zhou L, Zhao SZ, Koh SK, et al. In-depth analysis of the human tear proteome. J Proteome. 2012;75:3877–85.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Qin, W., Zhao, C. (2019). Tears: Potential Window for Monitoring Systemic Conditions. In: Gao, Y. (eds) Urine. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9109-5_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9109-5_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-9108-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-9109-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)