Trefoil factor family 1, MUC5AC and human leucocyte antigen-DR expression by conjunctival cells in patients with glaucoma treated with chronic drugs: could these markers predict the success of glaucoma surgery?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate conjunctival expression of trefoil factor family (TFF)1, MUC5AC and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR in patients with glaucoma treated with topical drugs, and to determine whether these parameters can predict the outcome of glaucoma surgery.


METHODS
77 conjunctival impression cytology specimens were collected from 77 patients with glaucoma (66 receiving drops with preservative and 11 treated with preservative-free drops) and 43 controls. TFF1, MUC5AC and HLA-DR expression was analysed using flow cytometry. Trabeculectomy was performed in 56 patients; success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) < or =15 mm Hg without any IOP-lowering drug at 6 months.


RESULTS
The expression of TFF1, MUC5AC and HLA-DR was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.01, 0.05 and 0.004, respectively). A higher expression of MUC5AC was found in patients treated with preserved drops than in those receiving unpreserved drops (p = 0.04). A higher MUC5AC expression and a lower HLA-DR expression was observed in successful glaucoma surgeries than in failures.


CONCLUSIONS
TFF1 and MUC5AC secretions are probably a response to mild ocular surface changes caused by long-term use of topical treatment. Their increased expression could be a predicting factor of further successful glaucoma surgery.
Souchier
M
M
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Général, 21000 Dijon, France.
Buron
N
N
Lafontaine
P O
PO
Bron
A M
AM
Baudouin
C
C
Creuzot-Garcher
C
C
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins