Function
Lacritin is a glycoprotein of the human tear film. It is mainly produced by the lacrimal gland. Some lacritin also is produced by the meibomian gland, and also by epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and cornea. The lacritin gene (LACRT) is one of the most transcriptionally regulated genes in the human eye. Functional studies suggest a role in epithelial renewal of some nongermative epithelia. By flowing downstream through ducts, it may generate a 'proliferative field'. Lacritin also promotes secretion. This raises the possibility that lacritin may have clinical applications in the treatment of dry eye, the most common eye disease. Recent studies suggest that lacritin is differentially downregulated in blepharitis.
Lacritin is an LFU prosecretory mitogen with a biphasic dose response that is optimal at 1 - 10 nM for human recombinant lacritin on human cells. Higher human lacritin concentrations are optimal on rat or mouse cells or on rabbit eyes. Lacritin flows downstream from the lacrimal gland through ducts onto the eye.
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