LEUKOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULE EXPRESSION IN SCLERITIS

Objective: To analyze the expression and cellular distribution of inte rcellular adhesion molecule 1, E-selectin (endothelial leukocyte adhes ion molecule), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, very late antigen 4, and lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in diseased and normal human sclera. Methods: Monoclonal antibodies to vascular cell a dhesion molecule 1, very late antigen 4, intercellular adhesion molecu le 1, LFA-1, and E-selectin were used to perform immunohistochemical s taining on frozen sections of 16 cryopreserved human sclera specimens and 5 conjunctival specimens. Results: The normal human sclera did not express any of the adhesion molecules. The expression of LFA-1 was dr amatic in all the scleral and conjunctival specimens on the inflammato ry cells. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, the ligand for LFA-1, was expressed in 7 of 12 scleral specimens. Furthermore, the expression o f LFA-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were focally present in areas of inflammatory infiltrate. E-selectin expression was detected o n the vascular endothelial cells in 8 of 12 patients. There was variab le expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and very late antig en 4 in the inflamed sclera and conjunctiva. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the presence of LFA-1 in the sclera and in the conjunctiva of patients with scleritis. Variable expression of other leukocyte ad hesion molecules was noted in the sclera and the conjunctiva of these patients.