Flow cytometric analysis of conjunctival epithelium in ocular rosacea and keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Citation
Pj. Pisella et al., Flow cytometric analysis of conjunctival epithelium in ocular rosacea and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, OPHTHALMOL, 107(10), 2000, pp. 1841-1849
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Optalmology,"da verificare
Journal title
OPHTHALMOLOGY
ISSN journal
01616420 → ACNP
Volume
107
Issue
10
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1841 - 1849
Database
ISI
SICI code
0161-6420(200010)107:10<1841:FCAOCE>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate by flow cytometry and impression cytology (IC) spec imens the inflammatory status of the conjunctival epithelium and goblet cel l density in two series of patients with rosacea and dry eye syndrome compa red with a population of healthy subjects. Design: Nonrandomized, prospective, comparative case series. Participants: Twenty-six eyes of 13 patients with rosacea, 26 eyes of 13 pa tients with dry eye syndrome, and 24 eyes of 12 control subjects were inclu ded in this study. Methods: IC specimens were collected after clinical examination of the ocul ar surface and analyzed by flow cytometry, using antibodies directed to hum an lymphocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM- 1) (CD 54), and the peptidic cove of the conjunctival mucin (M1/MUC5AC). Th e percentage of positive cells was calculated and levels of fluorescence ex pression quantified and compared with those obtained in a series of 12 heal thy subjects. Main Outcome Measures: Tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, fluorescei n and lissamin green stainings, and IC were realized in this study. Results: A significant increase of HLA-DR and ICAM-1 expressions by epithel ial cells was consistently found in the two pathologic groups compared with levels calculated in normal eyes. The two markers were well correlated wit h each other and inversely with TBUT and Schirmer test. The percentage of g oblet cells was significantly decreased in rosacea patients and in dry eye patients compared with the normal group with a significant negative correla tion with both HLA DR and ICAM-1 markers. Conclusions: Ocular rosacea and keratoconjunctivitis sicca were associated with severe ocular surface changes, such as an overexpression of inflammato ry markers and a significant decrease in the number of goblet cells. Ophtha lmology 2000;107:1841-1849 (C) 2000 by the American Academy of Ophthalmolog y.