Conjunctival Epithelium Expression of HLA-DR in Dry Eye Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To compare conjunctival epithelium expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1 with tear dynamics and ocular surface parameters. Methods: Brush cytology and flow cytometry were used to quantitatively analyze HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expression in 28 dry eye patients. Results: HLA-DR was expressed in 66% of the conjunctival cells of dry eye patients. This expression correlates with that of ICAM-1, as well as with the Schirmer test results (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that dry eye consists not only of ocular surface desiccation, but also of upregulation of the HLA-DR and ICAM-1 molecule in the conjunctival epithelium, possibly resulting in increased inflammation.

Flow cytometric analysis of HLA-DR antigen in conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with cystic fibrosis

“…22,26 HLA-DR expression has been reported to be greater in dry eye, chronic conjunctivitis, and patients with Sjogren's syndrome. 18,20,27,28 According to Tsubota et al, 18,28 HLA-DR upregulation could be an additional mechanism of ocular surface cell destruction by immunologic reaction, increasing the alteration of the ocular surface as a result of desiccation in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and may be regulated by IFN-g through the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). In the another study, HLA-DR expression was found at significantly higher level in eyes with SS than in KCSaffected eyes without SS.…”

“…Mean age of the CF group was 14.8274.11 years (range 7-23) vs 15.5174.65 years (range [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] in the control group. Only subjects with absolutely normal criteria and not having received any eye drops for at least 3 months were used for normal population analyses.…”

“…It has a complex arrangement of microvilli and microplicae and contains goblet cells, Langerhans cells, some lymphocytes, and melanocytes. [16][17][18] The most important role of the conjunctival epithelial cells in ocular surface defence and inflammation is its barrier function together with its importance in stabilising the tear film. 19 However, recent findings suggest that epithelial cells of the conjunctiva may play an active role in inflammation via expression of cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) important for leukocyte migration into tissue, and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules (HLA-DR) important in antigen presentation and activation of T-lymphocytes.…”

“…19 However, recent findings suggest that epithelial cells of the conjunctiva may play an active role in inflammation via expression of cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) important for leukocyte migration into tissue, and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules (HLA-DR) important in antigen presentation and activation of T-lymphocytes. 18,[20][21][22] HLA-DR expression, normally restricted to immune cells but overexpressed by epithelial cells in the case if immune-driven inflammation, is probably the most relevant factor for investigating ocular surface inflammation. 10,20 The aim of this study was to investigate in impression cytology (IC) specimens the expression of HLA-DR on conjunctival epithelial cells from patients with CF.…”

Uso oral do óleo de linhaça (Linum usitatissimum) no tratamento do olhoseco de pacientesportadores da síndrome de Sjögren

“…A citologia de impressão conjuntival foi utilizada no presente estudo para comprovar de forma objetiva a melhora do quadro inflamatório da superfície ocular. A detecção do HLA-DR em células epiteliais da superfície ocular já foi demonstrada, com aumento significativo deste marcador inflamatório em olhos de portadores de OS, quando comparado a indivíduos normais (31) e, ainda, importante correlação com a severidade do quadro de OS (32) . No presente estudo, houve um aumento significante dos valores médios do teste de BUT para todos os indivíduos tratados com OL, independente da dose utilizada (Tabelas 1 e 4; Gráfico 1).…”