[Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 in the conjunctiva of diabetic patients: a preliminary study].
OBJECTIVE
Recent research has incriminated adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. These molecules have been found to be expressed in many cells participating in inflammatory processes and neovascularization. The purpose of our investigation was to study the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1) in the conjunctiva of diabetic patients without retinopathy in comparison with normal human conjunctiva.


METHODS
Fifteen conjunctival biopsies were obtained from diabetic patients without retinopathy. The ocular fundus examination and retinal fluorescein angiography were normal. The normal human conjunctiva were taken from five patients undergoing senile cataract surgery. Immunohistochemical analysis consisted of indirect immunoperoxidase using the monoclonal antibody ICAM-1.


RESULTS
The adhesion molecule ICAM-1 was immunolocalized in epithelial, vascular endothelial, and inflammatory cells. The expression of this molecule was different in diabetic patients for the same duration. In the normal human conjunctiva, the expression of ICAM-1 was very low.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study shows that ICAM-1 is present in the conjunctiva of diabetic patients without retinopathy and thus may add new insights into the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
Khalfaoui
T
T
Service d'Ophtalmologie, EPS Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisie. khalfaouit@webmails.com
Kria
L
L
Anane
R
R
Erraies
K
K
Beltaief
O
O
Mkannez
G
G
Zhioua
R
R
Ben Jilani
S
S
Ouertani Meddeb
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1