ATPase-positive dendritic cells in the limbal and corneal epithelium of guinea pigs after extended wear of hydrogel lenses.
OBJECTIVE
It has been said that Langerhans cells can be induced to migrate into the central cornea by various stimuli. We investigated whether extended wear of hydrogel lenses induced the migration of Langerhans cells into the central cornea.


METHODS
Guinea-pig eyes were fitted with hydrogel contact lenses, and the number of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)-positive dendritic cells at the limbus, peripheral, and central corneal epithelium was quantified after 1, 2, 4, and 8 nights of extended wear. The cells were identified with histochemical procedures using ATPase stain.


RESULTS
At baseline, ATPase-positive dendritic cells were seen at the limbus and peripheral cornea, with the density decreasing from limbus to peripheral cornea. There were no cells in the central cornea. With extended wear, cells increased in number at the peripheral cornea from 2 nights onward, and cells were seen in the central cornea from 4 nights onward.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended wear of hydrogel lenses induced migration of ATPase-positive dendritic cells (Langerhans cells) into the central cornea. It is possible that they may play a role in the pathophysiology of some of the adverse events seen with contact lens wear.
Sankaridurg
P R
PR
Bausch & Lomb Contact Lens Center, LV Prasad Eye Institute and Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, India.
Rao
G N
GN
Rao
H N
HN
Sweeney
D F
DF
Holden
B A
BA
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D003262:Contact Lenses, Extended-Wear; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology*
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases