title: HLA-DR expression in conjunctival cells after latanoprost.
abstract: The purpose of this randomized, controlled, masked study was to evaluate the effects of latanoprost 0.005% (Xalatan, Pharmacia and Upjohn, Milan, Italy) on the ocular surface in patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma. The study group included 14 patients who underwent latanoprost 0.005% eye drops once a day in both eyes for 4 months. The control group underwent unpreserved substitute tears eye drops (Aquasalina, Bruschettini, Genoa, Italy) with the same posology and the same concentration of benzalkonium chloride (0.02%). Patients were controlled at 1, 3 and 4 months for symptoms, intraocular pressure, corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonnet test) and fluorescein staining. At the same control times, they underwent impression cytology and conjunctival brush cytology. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect HLA-DR expression in conjunctival cells. At each control, no significant statistical differences were found between the study and the control group, except for a higher expression of HLA-DR in the latanoprost group (p < 0.001). Since HLA-DR is a marker of ocular surface inflammation, this study suggests that a subclinical inflammatory reaction is present in the ocular surface of patients under latanoprost therapy. The pathway by which the inflammation is stimulated is yet unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Visual Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy. elgugli@tin.it
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guglielminetti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barabino
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monaco
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mantero
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rolando
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost