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Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in chronic ocular allergy

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Previous reports have suggested that Th2-type cytokines are important in the pathogenesis of ocular allergic diseases. The purpose of this study is to measure levels and mRNA expression of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in patients with active vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC).

Methods

Tear samples and tear-isolated cells were obtained from 9 healthy participants (CT—controls), 28 VKC, and 6 AKC patients. IL-4, IL-13, and interferon gamma (IFNγ) tear levels were determined by ELISA, and IL-4 and IFNγ tear cell mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Effects of these cytokines on IL-6 and IL-8 secretion, and on ICAM-1 expression by conjunctival fibroblasts, were evaluated by ELISA and flow cytometry respectively.

Results

Interleukin-4 tear levels were increased in VKC and AKC compared with CT, but only IFNγ significantly correlated with corneal involvement. An IL-4/13-dominant profile was found in 50% of VKC and in 17% of AKC patients, while a IFNγ -dominant profile was found in 18% of VKC and in 17% of AKC patients. IL-4 and IFNγ transcripts were detected in tear cells from 11 out of 12 VKC patients. IFNγ upregulated expression of ICAM-1 on conjunctival fibroblasts and the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8.

Conclusions

Although both IL-4 and IFNγ are detected in tears, only IFNγ levels correlated with disease severity and upregulated ICAM-1 on conjunctival fibroblasts, suggesting the role of IFNγ in the inflammatory phase of chronic allergic eye diseases.

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Acknowledgements

Grant support: in part by The Royal Society European Science Exchange Program (ESEP) (VC, AL); Trustees of Fight For Sight UK (VC). Commercial relationship: none.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Andrea Leonardi, Iva A. Fregona & Antonio G. Secchi

  2. Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Andrea Leonardi & Mario Plebani

  3. Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, UCL, London, UK

    Virginia L. Calder

Authors
  1. Andrea Leonardi
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  2. Iva A. Fregona
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  3. Mario Plebani
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  4. Antonio G. Secchi
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  5. Virginia L. Calder
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Correspondence to Andrea Leonardi.

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Leonardi, A., Fregona, I.A., Plebani, M. et al. Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in chronic ocular allergy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmo 244, 1240–1245 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0285-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0285-7

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