What's new in dry eye research today? | Oct 21, 2026

【Title】Blocking IL-6 trans-signaling mitigates benzalkonium chloride-induced inflammation, oxidative imbalance, ER stress, and barrier disruption in human corneal epithelial cells

【Journal】Eye Vis (Lond)

【Authors】Karina Lax; Joshua Glass; Antonella Aliste; et al.

【Summary】This study investigated whether sgp130Fc-mediated inhibition of IL-6 trans-signaling could protect human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial cells from benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced injury. Cells were exposed to 0.001% BAC for 30 minutes, with or without 10 μg/mL sgp130Fc. BAC induced inflammatory mediator expression, oxidative imbalance, intracellular calcium elevation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and epithelial barrier dysfunction. Sgp130Fc attenuated inflammatory responses and oxidative damage, partially alleviated ER stress, and preserved epithelial junctional proteins and barrier integrity. These in vitro findings suggest that IL-6 trans-signaling contributes to BAC-induced corneal epithelial injury and may represent a potential therapeutic target for dry eye disease and related ocular surface inflammation. Clinical efficacy remains to be established.