Mast cell hyperplasia in atopic keratoconjunctivitis. An immunohistochemical study.
Immunohistochemical staining of conjunctival biopsies from four normal subjects and five patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) was performed, using a monoclonal antibody to human mast cell tryptase. A massive hyperplasia of mast cells in the patients with AKC was demonstrated. The mean mast cell density in the normal patients was 55.6/mm2 and in the patients with AKC, 172/mm2. The appearance of large numbers of mast cells in the conjunctival epithelium of AKC patients was also demonstrated. The possible pathophysiological significance of these findings is discussed.
Morgan
S J
SJ
University Department of Pathology, Southampton General Hospital.
Williams
J H
JH
Walls
A F
AF
Holgate
S T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000473:pathology*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D014048:Tolonium Chloride
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014048:Tolonium Chloride