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Adhesion molecules in normal and pathological corneas

An immunohistochemical study using monoclonal antibodies

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

• Background: Adhesion molecules are cell surface receptors that are probably important in various cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions of the cornea. • Method: In this immunohistochemical light-microscopic study we analyzed the expression pattern of adhesion molecules in normal and pathological human corneas (cases of corneal inflammation and degenerative disorders). The analyzed molecules included the β1 integrin or VLA family VLA-1-6, the β2 integrins or leukocyte integrins LFA-1, Mac-1, and p150,95, the immunoglobulins LFA-3, CD2, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and the selectins ELAM-1 and GMP-140. • Results: Inflamed cornea (in contrast to normal cornea). On corneal epithelium, increased expression of the α2 subunit of VLA-2 was detected and ICAM-1 was induced on the basal epithelial cells. On corneal stromal keratocytes, LFA-3 was induced and expression of the α subunits of VLA-1-6 and ICAM-1 was increased. On vascular endothelium, VCAM-1 and ELAM-1 were induced and ICAM-1 and GMP-140 expression was increased. On corneal endothelium, ELAM-1 was induced and increased levels of the α1 subunit of VLA-1 and GMP-140 were expressed. Degenerative disorders (in contrast to normal cornea): In corneas with degenerative disorders we found decreased expression of adhesion molecules. • Conclusion: Inflammatory cytokines increase the expression of the adhesion molecules. Increased expression of the VLAs probably promotes cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions. ICAM-1, VCAM-1, LFA-3, ELAM-1 and GMP-140 expression was increased on vascular endothelium in inflamed corneas. Corresponding receptors on leukocytes probably enable a selective recruitment of different leukocyte populations in inflammatory corneal diseases. The decreased expression of adhesion molecules in corneal degenerative disorders is probably a sign of reduced cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum Zhan-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Operative Medizin II der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 16, D-24105, Kiel, Germany

    Wolf Vorkauf

  2. Klinik für Ophthalmologie, Operative Medizin II der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Hegewischstrasse 2, D-24105, Kiel, Germany

    Mark Vorkauf, Berhard Nölle & Gernot Duncker

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Vorkauf, W., Vorkauf, M., Nölle, B. et al. Adhesion molecules in normal and pathological corneas. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 233, 209–219 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00183594

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