PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in healthy and active vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) conjunctiva. DESIGN: Comparative nonrandomized interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and 10 healthy subjects. METHODS: Normal and VKC conjunctiva were evaluated for TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 mRNA and proteins by relative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Colocalization of TLRs was further evaluated by confocal microscopy and double-labeled immunofluorescence in T cells (CD4), mast cells (AA1), and eosinophils (EG2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of TLRs at molecular and biochemical levels and identification of inflammatory cells that coexpress these receptors. RESULTS: Toll-like receptor 2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 were expressed in normal and VKC conjunctival epithelium and stroma, both with a more intense immunoreactivity in the stroma. In VKC tissues, TLR-4 was upregulated, TLR-9 was downregulated, and TLR-2 was slightly decreased relative to normal tissues. Toll-like receptor 4 was localized on CD4+ lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells, whereas lymphocytes and eosinophils, but not mast cells, expressed TLR-9. CONCLUSIONS: Toll-like receptors are expressed in healthy and allergic conjunctiva. The upregulation or downregulation of these receptors and their presence on inflammatory cells suggest a role of TLRs in VKC.
PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in healthy and active vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) conjunctiva. DESIGN: Comparative nonrandomized interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Nine patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis and 10 healthy subjects. METHODS: Normal and VKC conjunctiva were evaluated for TLR-2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 mRNA and proteins by relative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Colocalization of TLRs was further evaluated by confocal microscopy and double-labeled immunofluorescence in T cells (CD4), mast cells (AA1), and eosinophils (EG2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of TLRs at molecular and biochemical levels and identification of inflammatory cells that coexpress these receptors. RESULTS:Toll-like receptor 2, TLR-4, and TLR-9 were expressed in normal and VKC conjunctival epithelium and stroma, both with a more intense immunoreactivity in the stroma. In VKC tissues, TLR-4 was upregulated, TLR-9 was downregulated, and TLR-2 was slightly decreased relative to normal tissues. Toll-like receptor 4 was localized on CD4+ lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells, whereas lymphocytes and eosinophils, but not mast cells, expressed TLR-9. CONCLUSIONS: Toll-like receptors are expressed in healthy and allergic conjunctiva. The upregulation or downregulation of these receptors and their presence on inflammatory cells suggest a role of TLRs in VKC.
Authors: Qunfeng Dong; Jennifer M Brulc; Alfonso Iovieno; Brandon Bates; Aaron Garoutte; Darlene Miller; Kashi V Revanna; Xiang Gao; Dionysios A Antonopoulos; Vladlen Z Slepak; Valery I Shestopalov Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2011-07-20 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Daniel R Saban; Virginia Calder; Chuan-Hui Kuo; Nancy J Reyes; Darlene A Dartt; Santa J Ono; Jerry Y Niederkorn Journal: Curr Eye Res Date: 2013-01-02 Impact factor: 2.424