May 2006
Volume 47, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2006
Specific Patterns of Conjunctival Epithelial Barrier Alteration Induced by Th1 versus Th2 Cytokines
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • M.C. Calonge
    Ocular Surface Group–IOBA, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
  • A. Enríquez de Salamanca
    Ocular Surface Group–IOBA, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
  • C. García–Vázquez
    Ocular Surface Group–IOBA, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
  • M.E. Stern
    Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  M.C. Calonge, Allergan, Inc, C; A. Enríquez de Salamanca, None; C. García–Vázquez, None; M.E. Stern, Allergan Inc., E.
  • Footnotes
    Support  FEDER–CICYT MAT2004–03484–C02; JCyL VA003C05; Allergan Inc.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2006, Vol.47, 4938. doi:
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      M.C. Calonge, A. Enríquez de Salamanca, C. García–Vázquez, M.E. Stern; Specific Patterns of Conjunctival Epithelial Barrier Alteration Induced by Th1 versus Th2 Cytokines . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2006;47(13):4938.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : Epithelial cells participate in ocular surface defense, among other mechanisms, by acting as a mechanical barrier that prevents intrusion of damaging substances. The integrity of this epithelial barrier is preferentially altered in some ocular surface diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different cytokine environments (Th1– or Th2–derived) on the expression of several intercellular adhesion proteins in human conjunctival epithelial cells.

Methods: : The IOBA–NHC cell line, derived from healthy human conjunctival epithelium, was used. The expression of two inflammatory markers (ICAM–1, HLA–DR) and three epithelial intercellular junction proteins: ZO–1 as a marker of tight junctions; desmoplakin (DPK) I–II as a marker of desmosomes; and connexin 43 (Cx 43) as a marker of gap junctions, were analyzed in cells after 48 h incubation with Th1–derived (IFN–γ, or TNF–α) or Th2–derived (IL–4 or IL–13) cytokines by immunofluorescence and Western blotting.

Results: : ICAM–1 expression, present in basal conditions, was upregulated under stimulation with Th1 or Th2–type cytokines. HLA–DR expression was not detected. IL–4 and IL–13 diminished the expression of ZO–1, DPK I–II, and Cx 43, whereas IFN–γ and TNF–α enhanced that expression.

Conclusions: : Th2– but not Th1–type cytokines seem to disrupt ocular surface epithelial barrier. This different pattern of epithelial alteration depending on the type of cytokine preponderance may help explain the preferential presence of epithelial ulceration in certain ocular surface problems. If functional studies corroborated these findings, ocular surface epithelial cells would have to be considered as therapeutic targets of new anti–inflammatory medications.

Keywords: conjunctiva • cell adhesions/cell junctions 
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