The immunomodulatory role of human conjunctival epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize phenotypically the primary epithelial cells obtained from normal bulbar conjunctival biopsy specimens and a human conjunctival epithelial cell line (Wong-Kilbourne derivative of Chang conjunctiva; ChWK) with regard to their immunostimulatory function.


METHODS
The effects on expression of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, ICAM-1, and CD40) on normal conjunctival epithelial cells and ChWK treated with various cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-13) were determined using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.


RESULTS
Epithelial cells were successfully grown from conjunctival explants and cultures passaged three times, while retaining their cell surface markers. At least 97% of primary epithelial cells (n = 10) and more than 96% of ChWK cells (n = 10) were cytokeratin positive by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry and demonstrated epithelial cell morphology. Both primary conjunctival epithelial cells and ChWK had a low basal expression of HLA-DR and ICAM-1, and both were upregulated by IFN-gamma. For ChWK cells, CD80 and CD86 were constitutively expressed at low levels. CD80 was significantly upregulated after IFN-gamma treatment (P = 0.043), whereas IL-4 induced a significant upregulation of CD86 (P = 0.039). Treatment with IL-13 and TNF-alpha did not induce significant effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of conjunctival epithelial cells to express costimulatory molecules suggests a proinflammatory role for conjunctival epithelial cells.
Zhan
Hong
H
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Towler
Hamish M A T
HM
Calder
Virginia L
VL
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019013:CD40 Antigens; C497964:CD86 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1