Conjunctivitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Conjunctivitis, including details on pink eye, symptoms, causes, treatment, medication. | ||||||||
|
Expression of Toll-like receptors in healthy and allergic conjunctiva.Bonini S, Micera A, Iovieno A, Lambiase A, Bonini S CIR Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Campus Bio-Medico and G. B. Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, Italy. s.bonini@unicampus.it PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in healthy and active vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) conjunctiva. DESIGN: Comparative nonrandomized interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and 10 healthy subjects. METHODS: Normal and VKC conjunctiva were evaluated for TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 mRNA and proteins by relative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Colocalization of TLRs was further evaluated by confocal microscopy and double-labeled immunofluorescence in T cells (CD4), mast cells (AA1), and eosinophils (EG2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of TLRs at molecular and biochemical levels and identification of inflammatory cells that coexpress these receptors. RESULTS: Toll-like receptor 2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 were expressed in normal and VKC conjunctival epithelium and stroma, both with a more intense immunoreactivity in the stroma. In VKC tissues, TLR-4 was upregulated, TLR-9 was downregulated, and TLR-2 was slightly decreased relative to normal tissues. Toll-like receptor 4 was localized on CD4+ lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells, whereas lymphocytes and eosinophils, but not mast cells, expressed TLR-9. CONCLUSIONS: Toll-like receptors are expressed in healthy and allergic conjunctiva. The upregulation or downregulation of these receptors and their presence on inflammatory cells suggest a role of TLRs in VKC. Published 5 September 2005 in Ophthalmology, 112(9): 1528; discussion 1548-9.
© 2004-2008 Conjunctivitis Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
