Lymphocyte subgroups and natural killer cell activity in recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
Although the role of natural killer cells in the defense against certain viral infections has been published, little is known about the role of lymphocyte subgroups in recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis. Accordingly, serum levels of major immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and IgG subgroups, the lymphocyte subgroups, and natural killer cell activity were investigated in patients with recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis.


METHODS
Eleven patients with recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis and 10 healthy subjects were included. A delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test was performed in addition to the determination of serum immunoglobulin levels, IgG subgroups, peripheral blood lymphocyte percentages, and natural killer cell activity in both groups.


RESULTS
The result of the delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test was positive in all patients with recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis and healthy subjects. No significant difference was obtained in serum immunoglobulin levels and IgG subgroups between the patients and healthy subjects. Among the cell surface antigens (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD19, and CD20), only CD8+ (i.e., cytotoxic) T-lymphocyte percentages were significantly increased (P=0.003), and the CD4:CD8 ratio was significantly decreased in the patients compared to the healthy subjects (P=0.021). There was no significant difference in the expression of CD16+ natural killer cells between both groups, despite a significantly lower natural killer cell activity in patients with recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis (P=0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that human cytotoxic T cells show a difference in numbers and natural killer cell activity that may affect the prognosis of recurrent herpetic stromal keratitis.
Iskeleli
Guzin
G
Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. giskeleli@superonline.com
Camcioglu
Yildiz
Y
Akova
Nilufer
N
Kiran
Bayram
B
Bahar
Hrisi
H
Deniz
Gunnur
G
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000097:blood*; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000276:immunology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes