title: ICAM-1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells in patients with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common lethal genetic conditions. The defect is due to mutations in a gene on chromosome 7, named the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), which functions as a chloride channel in epithelial membranes It is presumed that the disease affects all secretory epithelia including the eye. The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by conjunctival epithelial cells of patients with cystic fibrosis and the correlation between of the expression of ICAM-1 and the grade of cystic fibrosis severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Impression cytology specimens were collected in 24 patients with cystic fibrosis. Cells were processed for flow cytometry, by using monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant increase of ICAM-1 expression on epithelial cells was found in patients with cystic fibrosis when compared with normal eyes. A positive correlation between the ICAM-1 expression and severe clinical status of CF patients was also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that the inflammation appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of the ocular surface changes in patients with cystic fibrosis. ICAM-1 expression on conjunctival epithelial cells may be a marker of the inflammatory status in cystic fibrosis patients. The method described here reveal good repeatability and reliability for the analysis of the inflammatory markers on conjunctival epithelial cells and can be a useful tool in evaluating of the ocular findings and treatment interventions in patients with cystic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. mrugacz1@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mrugacz
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zak
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakunowicz-Lazarczyk
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocka
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaczmarski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1