title: Phenotypic characterization of T cells infiltrating the conjunctiva in chronic allergic eye disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Section of Immunobiology, New Haven, Conn., USA.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holgate
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lightman
mesh_terms: 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*