ICAM‐1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells in patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common lethal genetic conditions. The defect is due to mutations in a gene on chromosome 7, named the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), which functions as a chloride channel in epithelial membranes It is presumed that the disease affects all secretory epithelia including the eye. The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with cystic fibrosis and the correlation between of the expression of ICAM-1 and the grade of cystic fibrosis severity.Methods: Impression cytology specimens were collected in 24 patients with cystic fibrosis. Cells were processed for flow cytometry, by using monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1.Results: A significant increase of ICAM-1 expression on epithelial cells was found in patients with cystic fibrosis when compared with normal eyes. A positive correlation between the ICAM-1 expression and severe clinical status of CF patients was also observed.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the inflammation appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of the ocular surface changes in patients with cystic fibrosis. ICAM-1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells may be a marker of the inflammatory status in cystic fibrosis patients. The method described here reveal good repeatability and reliability for the analysis of the inflammatory markers on conjunctival epithelial cells and can be a useful tool in evaluating of the ocular findings and treatment interventions in patients with cystic fibrosis. q 2007 Clinical Cytometry Society

Respiratory viral infections in Western Australians with cystic fibrosis

“…The most frequently detected respiratory virus in adults and children with CF was RV, however, RV was not detected more often in CF patients than in non-CF patients. Previous studies have also reported RV to be the most common cause of VRI in CF patients [9][10][11][12][13][14]22], possibly due to the upregulation of the cellular receptors for RV, ICAM-1 and LDL, in CF epithelial cells [23]. Moreover, RV infection can increase adherence of Staphylococcus spp.…”

Ophthalmologic manifestations of adult patients with cystic fibrosis

“…Our findings are in agreement with previous studies that reported reduced BUT in CF patients and ocular surface inflammation associated with tear-film instability. 24,25 Posterior blepharitis can lead to alterations in the normal lipid composition in Meibomian gland secretions, which may result in alteration of the tear film (thereby negatively affecting tear Break-Up Time) and subsequently in evaporative dry eye. 26 Thus our findings further support the hypothesis that decreased BUT with subsequent evaporative dry eye could be a primary manifestation of CF in patients with tear film instability and inflammation.…”

Atorvastatin Reduces High Glucose Toxicity in Rat Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells

“…In another study, inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway in endothelial cells blocked expression of endothelial intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (39), a molecule related to fibrotic processes (40). The same mechanism may explain the action of atorvastatin in PMCs.…”