ANALYSIS OF TEARS IN PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS, USINGFLOW-CYTOMETRY

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a chronic allergic eye disease, A lthough the pathogenesis is not fully understood, some impairment in c ell-mediated immunity was suggested by histopathological findings in c onjunctival specimens obtained from affected individuals. T-cell infil tration and an enhanced T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratio in conjunctiv al biopsy specimens were observed previously by immunofluorescence pro cedures, We analyzed the cells in tears of patients with AKC using flo w cytometry (FCM) and compared the results to those of normal subjects to identify the role of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of the dise ase, The tear samples of the patients and normal subjects were collect ed with capillary tubes, and the surface receptors of cells were detec ted with FCM. Statistical analyses were performed with Student's t tes t, The percentages of T cells, activated B cells, and T-helper/T-suppr essor cell ratios were found to be higher in the tears of patients wit h AKC than in controls, We propose that a decreased T-suppressor cell concentration in tears may enhance immunoglobulin-E production of B ce lls, and the signs and symptoms are provoked by inflammatory mediators liberated from mast cell degranulation.