Immunopathological Features of Severe Chronic Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis and Effects of Topical Cyclosporine Treatment

YILDIRIM C. A., Stern M., Akpek E. K.

OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION, vol.27, no.7, pp.1184-1193, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 7
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09273948.2018.1511811
  • Journal Name: OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1184-1193
  • Keywords: Atopic keratokonjunctivitis, immunopathology, topical cyclosporine, INHIBITORS, CYTOKINES, TRIAL, CELLS
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: To assess differential roles of inflammatory cells in pathophysiology of severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and evaluate immunomodulatory effects of topical cyclosporine A (CsA). Methods: A total of 10 patients with severe, steroid-dependent/resistant chronic active AKC were treated using frequent topical CsA 0.05% as monotherapy for 2?months. Conjunctival biopsy specimens before and after treatment were examined using immunohistochemistry. A total of 10 healthy age-matched adults served as the control group. Results: Baseline AKC samples revealed greater cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), interferon gamma (IFN?), human leukocyte antigen?D-related (HLA-DR) positive cell densities compared with healthy controls (P??0.05). Despite reduction after treatment (P?=?0.06), HLA-DR expression remained higher than controls (P?