Abstract
Purpose: :
CD4+T cells are the main effector cell driving inflammation in chronic allergic conjunctivitis which is characterized by an activated conjunctival epithelium. Recent studies suggest that the conjunctival epithelium can be activated by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) present on the conjunctiva and lids in the majority of patients with chronic allergic conjunctivitis. The goal of this study was to examine the role of conjunctival epithelial cell mediators in regulation of cytokine release from activated CD4+T cells.
Methods: :
Peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were activated with anti-CD3/CD28 coated beads in buffer or supernates from a human conjunctival epithelial cell line (IOBA-NHC, Valladolid, Spain) stimulated with a either SA cell wall extract (CWE) or a combination of TNFα/IL-1β (positive control) or media containing either SA-CWE or a combination of TNFα/IL-1β (direct effect of SA-CWE and cytokines). T cell release of IL-13 and IFNγ were measured by ELISA.
Results: :
T cells activated in supernates from SA-CWE stimulated IOBA-NHC cells released markedly less IFNγ and IL-13, compared to T cells activated in buffer. Interestingly, the direct effect of SA-CWE on IFNγ release from CD3/CD28-activated T cells was the opposite, that is, SA-CWE enhanced IFNγ release. T cells activated in supernates from TNFα/IL-1β stimulated IOBA-NHC cells also released less IFNγ and IL-13.
Conclusions: :
Mediators released from conjunctival epithelial cells may play an important T cell regulatory role in chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
Keywords: conjunctiva • inflammation