Adhesion molecules in iris biopsy specimens from patients with uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Earlier studies on intraocular tissue have demonstrated that T lymphocytes play a major role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. Adhesion molecules are immunoregulatory molecules for the interaction between T lymphocytes and vascular endothelium and they play an important role in the recruitment of specific T lymphocytes from the circulation into inflamed tissue. In uveitis an increased expression of some of these adhesion molecules may be expected.


METHODS
The presence of adhesion molecules was investigated in iris biopsy specimens from 11 patients with uveitis and eight controls (patients with primary open angle glaucoma) immunohistochemically with a panel of monoclonal antibodies: LECAM (CD 62L), ICAM-1 (CD 54), LFA-1 (CD 11a/18), VCAM-1 (CD 106), VLA-4 (CD 49d), and HECA-452, a marker for high endothelial venules.


RESULTS
Positive staining for ICAM-1, LFA-1 and VCAM-1 was found in the iris in a significantly higher number of uveitis patients than in controls. The remaining adhesion molecules were also found in a higher number of uveitis patients than in controls, but this difference did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
An increased expression of adhesion molecules was found in the iris of patients with uveitis, indicating an immunoregulatory function for adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of uveitis.
La Heij
E
E
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Rotterdam, Dijkzigt, Netherlands.
Kuijpers
R W
RW
Baarsma
S G
SG
Kijlstra
A
A
van der Weiden
M
M
Mooy
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D007498:Iris / Q000737:chemistry*; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014605:Uveitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1