Donor-derived myofibroblasts in the ocular surface after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and characterize cells of donor origin in the ocular surface of female recipients who have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) from a male donor.


METHODS
Cytological impressions from the eyes of nine allografted patients (17 eyes) were analysed. Donor cells were identified using sex-chromosome-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cells were characterized by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the CK3 and CK19 epithelial markers, the panleucocytic marker CD45 and the myofibroblast marker alpha-SMA.


RESULTS
No epithelial cells of donor origin were observed in the corneal or conjunctival samples. Cells of donor origin were found in the corneal samples, although these were often too degraded to allow characterization by IHC. In the conjunctiva, a median of 86% of the total number of cells were of recipient origin, including a subgroup (2%) of giant cells exhibiting polyploidy (range 4-18 n), found in the limbal region. Donor cells were detected in the conjunctiva of all nine patients at a median ratio of 9%, of which two-thirds were CD45+/alpha-SMA+.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed superficially located myofibroblasts of donor origin in all allografted patients, but not in samples from healthy controls. Whether myofibroblasts are implicated in ocular graft-versus-host disease requires further studies.
Hallberg
David
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Wernstedt
Pernilla
P
Hanson
Charles
C
Wettergren
Yvonne
Y
Stenberg
Kristina
K
Brune
Mats
M
Stenevi
Ulf
U
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X / Q000378:metabolism; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D053539:Keratin-19 / Q000378:metabolism; D053558:Keratin-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000628:therapy; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000628:therapy; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; C479360:KRT3 protein, human; D053539:Keratin-19; D053558:Keratin-3; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens