Original Paper

Flow Cytometrical Analysis of Adhesion Molecules, T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Inflammatory Markers in Pterygium
Yavuz Tekelioglu^a, Adem Turk^b, Avni Murat Avunduk^b, Esin Yulug^a

Departments of
^aHistology and Embryology and
^bOphthalmology, Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2006;220:372-378 (DOI: 10.1159/000095863)

  Key Words

• Flow cytometry
• Ocular inflammation
• Ocular surface
• HLA-DR
• ICAM-1
• Pterygium
• VCAM-1

  Abstract

Background/Aim: Pterygium is a relatively frequent ocular surface disease with an unexplained etiopathogenesis. Our study was carried out with the aim to identify the presence of inflammatory cells and mediators such as T-lymphocyte subgroups (CD4 and CD8), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) in pterygium tissue. Methods: Pterygium tissue, obtained from 24 patients, and normal conjunctival tissue, from the nasal bulbar conjunctiva obtained from 14 patients operated for ocular perforations or vitrectomy, were separated into epithelial and stromal components under the microscope and suspended with phosphate-buffered saline solution to form a suspension. Cell suspensions were treated with specific antibodies for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and HLA-DR and T-lymphocyte subgroups and evaluated with flow cytometry. The obtained data were compared statistically. Results: When compared to the control tissue samples, higher rates of ICAM-1-positive cells, VCAM-1-positive cells and HLA-DR-positive cells were recorded in pterygium tissue samples. CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were also found to be at higher levels when compared to the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: When compared with normal conjunctival tissue, pterygium tissue had increased levels of T-lymphocyte infiltration and inflammatory markers demonstrating the possible contribution of cellular immunity to the pathogenesis.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Adem Türk, MD
Department of Ophthalmology
Karadeniz Technical University, School of Medicine
TR-61080 Trabzon (Turkey)
Tel. +90 462 377 5471, Fax +90 462 325 2270, E-Mail doktorademturk@yahoo.com

  Article Information

Received: January 1, 2006
Accepted after revision: August 11, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 6, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 40