Leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in scleritis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression and cellular distribution of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, E-selectin (endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, very late antigen 4, and lymphocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) in diseased and normal human sclera.


METHODS
Monoclonal antibodies to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, very late antigen 4, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, LFA-1, and E-selectin were used to perform immunohistochemical staining on frozen sections of 16 cryopreserved human sclera specimens and 5 conjunctival specimens.


RESULTS
The normal human sclera did not express any of the adhesion molecules. The expression of LFA-1 was dramatic in all the scleral and conjunctival specimens on the inflammatory cells. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1, the ligand for LFA-1, was expressed in 7 of 12 scleral specimens. Furthermore, the expression of LFA-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were focally present in areas of inflammatory infiltrate. E-selectin expression was detected on the vascular endothelial cells in 8 of 12 patients. There was variable expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and very late antigen 4 in the inflamed sclera and conjunctiva.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate the presence of LFA-1 in the sclera and in the conjunctiva of patients with scleritis. Variable expression of other leukocyte adhesion molecules was noted in the sclera and the conjunctiva of these patients.
Sangwan
V S
VS
Hilles Immunology Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, USA.
Merchant
A
A
Sainz de la Maza
M
M
Foster
C S
CS
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism; D015925:Cryopreservation; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D012590:Sclera / Q000378:metabolism*; D015423:Scleritis / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules