Conjunctival inflammation in the chronic phase of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the immunopathogenesis of the corneal conjunctivalisation in Stevens-Johnson syndrome.


METHODS
Conjunctivalised corneas from five patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome were studied immunohistochemically for several cell surface antigens and two cytokines. Chemical injury specimens were also studied.


RESULTS
In all cases, immunohistochemistry revealed LFA-1, CD4, CD8, and CD68 on subepithelial infiltrating cells. Also, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 were found on the surfaces of epithelial cells, subepithelial infiltrating cells, subepithelial fibroblasts, and endothelial cells in blood vessels. IFN-gamma was found in basal epithelial cells; subepithelial cells and subepithelial extracellular matrix CD19 and IL4 were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The infiltrating cell population in the Stevens-Johnson syndrome samples includes macrophages, CD4 positive T cells, and CD8 positive T cells. The cytokine expression pattern suggests CD4 positive T cells are Th1 cells. The infiltrating cell population is similar in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and chemical injury conjunctivalised corneas.
Kawasaki
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Nishida
K
K
Sotozono
C
C
Quantock
A J
AJ
Kinoshita
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*