Titre du document / Document title

Immunopathogenesis of conjunctival scarring in trachoma

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

ABU EL-ASRAR A. M. ⁽¹⁾ ; GEBOES K. ⁽²⁾ ; TABBARA K. F. ⁽¹⁾ ; AL-KHARASHI S. A. ⁽¹⁾ ; MISSOTTEN L. ⁽³⁾ ; DESMET V. ⁽²⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Airport Road, PO Box 245, Riyadh 11411, ARABIE SAOUDITE
⁽²⁾ Laboratory of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, University Hospital St Rafael, Leuven, BELGIQUE
⁽³⁾ Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital St Rafael, Leuven, BELGIQUE

Résumé / Abstract

Purpose Trachoma, a chronic follicular conjunctivitis caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading cause of preventable blindness. The blinding complications are associated with progressive conjunctival scarring that may result from immunologically mediated responses. We studied the processes involved in the regulation of inflammation and fibrosis in trachoma by investigating the expression of fibrogenic cytokines in the conjunctiva. Methods We studied conjunctival biopsy specimens obtained from nine subjects with active trachoma and from four control subjects. We used immunohistochemical techniques and a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, we characterised the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate by the use of a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Sirius red and Van Gieson stains were used to characterise the extent of fibrous tissue in the substantia propria. Results Trachoma specimens showed greater numbers of inflammatory cells than control specimens. The expression of cytokines was absent in the normal conjunctiva, Cytoplasmic IL-1α and IL-1β expression was noted in the conjunctival epithelium in all trachoma specimens. IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and PDGF were detected in macrophages infiltrating the substantia propria. B lymphocytes predominated over T lymphocytes in six trachoma biopsies with fibrosis confined to the deep substantia propria, whereas T lymphocytes predominated over B lymphocytes in three biopsies with more extensive fibrosis. In all trachoma biopsies helper/inducer T lymphocytes outnumbered suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Conclusions The upregulated local production of IL-1α, IL-β, TNF-α and PDGF might contribute to conjunctival damage and scarring in trachoma.

Revue / Journal Title

Eye   ISSN 0950-222X   CODEN EYEEEC 

Source / Source

1998, vol. 12 (3A), pp. 453-460 (57 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Nature Publishing Group, Basingstoke, ROYAUME-UNI  (1987) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Trachoma ; Conjunctiva ; Immunohistochemistry ; Gene expression ; Interleukin 1 ; Exploration ; Human ; Chlamydiosis ; Bacteriosis ; Infection ; Eye disease ; Conjunctiva disease ; Eye ; Pathology ; Cytokine ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Trachome ; Conjonctive ; Immunohistochimie ; Expression génique ; Interleukine 1 ; Exploration ; Homme ; Chlamydiose ; Bactériose ; Infection ; Oeil pathologie ; Conjonctive pathologie ; Oeil ; Anatomopathologie ; Cytokine ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Tracoma ; Conjuntiva ; Inmunohistoquímica ; Expresión genética ; Interleuquina 1 ; Exploración ; Hombre ; Clamidiasis ; Bacteriosis ; Infección ; Ojo patología ; Conjuntiva patología ; Ojo ; Anatomía patológica ; Citoquina ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 21076, 35400007712699.0230