Conjunctival epithelium expression of HLA-DR in dry eye patients

Ophthalmologica. 1999;213(1):16-9. doi: 10.1159/000027387.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Conjunctiva / metabolism*
  • Conjunctiva / pathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / metabolism*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / pathology
  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescein
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • HLA-DR Antigens / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rose Bengal
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / metabolism
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Contrast Media
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Rose Bengal
  • Fluorescein