title: Quantitative analysis of lacrimal gland function, apoptotic figures, Fas and Fas ligand expression of lacrimal glands in dry eye patients.
abstract: The purpose of our study was to examine the correlation between the lacrimal gland function and apoptotic figure, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) expression in the lacrimal gland. A total of 15 dry eye patients (nine Sjögren's syndrome and six non-Sjögren's syndrome-type dry eye) were recruited for the study. Lacrimal function was evaluated by Schirmer tests 1 and 2. Lacrimal gland biopsies were performed and sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using APO2.7, an antibody to Fas and FasL. Quantitative analysis of fluorescein staining was performed by a scanning laser microscopy. Schirmer test 2 results were lower in Sjögren's syndrome-type dry eye and were associated with positive staining of acinar cells with APO2.7 and of infiltrating lymphocytes with FasL. There was a good correlation between the results of Schirmer test 2 and APO2.7 and FasL staining. Lacrimal gland dysfunction is related to the apoptotic figure of acinar cells possibly induced by FasL on the infiltrating lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, 5-11-13 Sugano, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-8513, Japan. tsubota@tdc.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsubota
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Kensei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuzaka
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D001706:Biopsy; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019014:fas Receptor