Phenotypic characterization of T cells infiltrating the conjunctiva in chronic allergic eye disease.
BACKGROUND
Chronic allergic conjunctivitis comprises a spectrum of diseases including atopic keratoconjunctivitis, atopic blepharoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and contact lens-associated giant pupillary conjunctivitis. Each condition is characterized by a complex immunopathology with a mixed cellular infiltrate. Treatment with conventional mast cell stabilizers is often unsatisfactory, and therapy depends heavily on topical corticosteroids.


OBJECTIVE
Recent evidence suggests that T lymphocytes play an important role in mediating the immunopathology seen in the chronic allergic response in the skin and the lungs.


METHODS
We have therefore investigated the prevalence of T cells and their subsets in the different chronic allergic eye conditions by means of immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
We found significantly increased numbers of CD4+, CD45RO+, and HLA-DR+ T cells in the conjunctiva of patients with atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis and giant papillary conjunctivitis, with a corresponding upregulation of markers present on antigen presenting cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that like allergic conditions in the skin and lungs, CD4+ memory T cells are involved in the regulation of the immunopathology of chronic allergic eye responses. Further characterization of these T cells will provide the information necessary for future immunotherapeutic interventions.
Metz
D P
DP
Yale University, Section of Immunobiology, New Haven, Conn., USA.
Bacon
A S
AS
Holgate
S
S
Lightman
S L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*