Conjunctival epithelium expression of HLA-DR in glaucoma patients and its influence on the outcome of filtration surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the expression of HLA-DR on conjunctival epithelial cells in patients with glaucoma taking topical antiglaucoma therapy.


METHODS
10 patients taking no topical medication and 30 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma taking medical therapy participated in the study. The specimens were obtained by impression cytology preoperatively, 3 months, and 6 months after filtration surgery. The expression of HLA-DR on T lymphocytes and epithelial cells was analysed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
A significant increase in HLA-DR on epithelial cells was found preoperatively in patients with glaucoma. A significant increased expression of HLA-DR on epithelial cells was detected 3 months and 6 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased expression of HLA-DR on conjunctival epithelial cells still present 6 months after surgery indicates the increased ability of epithelial cells to induce immune inflammation with subsequent fibrosis.
Ihan
A
A
Medical Faculty, Institute of Microbiology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Cvenkel
B
B
D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens