May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Progressive keratinization status and cell proliferation in conjunctival epithelium of Sjögren’s syndrome.
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • N. Hirai
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • S. Kawasaki
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • H. Tanioka
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • N. Yokoi
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • A. Komuro
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • K. Yamasaki
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • T. Inatomi
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • S. Kinoshita
    Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural Univ of Med, Kamigyo–ku, Japan
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  N. Hirai, None; S. Kawasaki, None; H. Tanioka, None; N. Yokoi, None; A. Komuro, None; K. Yamasaki, None; T. Inatomi, None; S. Kinoshita, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  support: japan grant (15791001) from the ministry of education, culture and science
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 1478. doi:
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      N. Hirai, S. Kawasaki, H. Tanioka, N. Yokoi, A. Komuro, K. Yamasaki, T. Inatomi, S. Kinoshita; Progressive keratinization status and cell proliferation in conjunctival epithelium of Sjögren’s syndrome. . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):1478.

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

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Conjuctival epithelial cells of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) exhibit altered gene expression patterns, which implies a possible inclination to hyper–proliferation and keratinization. To elucidate this pathologic situation, we investigated the expression of the proteins that are relevant to these cellular processes by the methods of immunohistochemistry. Methods:Conjunctival tissues were obtained from 5 SS patients and 5 normal subjects at conjunctival chalasis surgery. These tissues were embedded in OCT compound and snap–frozen with liquid nitrogen. Frozen tissues were sectioned at 6 µm and subjected to an indirect fluorescent immunohistochemical analysis. Primary antibodies included anti–transglutaminase 1 (TGase 1), anti–involucrin antibody, both of which are associated with keratinization. Anti–Ki67 antibody was also used for the detection of proliferative cells. The specimens were observed by fluorescent microscopy and images were acquired with constant exposure condition. The acquired images were analysed by Scion image software. Average fluorescent intensity of epithelium (TGase 1 and involucrin) or number of positive cells normalized by the length of basement membrane of observed area (Ki67) was compared between the samples from patients with SS and normal subjects by 2–tailed Welch test. Results:The conjunctival epithelium of SS patients demonstrated increased expression of TGase 1 (approx. x 2.0, p=0.0063) and involucrin (approx. x 2.7, p=0.0001). Increased number of Ki67 positive cells (approx. x2.0) were observed in SS, although statistical significant level was not included in 5% critical region (p=0.255). Conclusions: These results possibly explain the progression of the keratinization process and accelerated cell proliferation in the conjunctival epithelium of SS patients. These results support the previous concept that a reduction of tear volume or the stimulation of inflammatory cytokines may alter conjunctival epithelial cell features.

Keywords: conjunctiva • inflammation • cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye 
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