André Augusto Miranda Torricelli1, Monique Matsuda2, Priscila Novaes2, Alfésio Luiz Ferreira Braga3, Paulo Hilário Nascimento Saldiva3, Milton Ruiz Alves2, Mário Luiz Ribeiro Monteiro2. 1. Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory for Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM-33), University of São Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 5th floor, 01246-903 São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: torricelli.andre@yahoo.com.br. 2. Division of Ophthalmology and the Laboratory for Investigation in Ophthalmology (LIM-33), University of São Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 455, 5th floor, 01246-903 São Paulo, Brazil. 3. Environmental Epidemiology Study Group, Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To quantify ocular symptoms, goblet cells (GC) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) gene expression on the conjunctiva of healthy subjects exposed to ambient levels of traffic-derived air pollution and to estimate its correlation with NO2 and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) levels. METHODS: Twenty-one taxi drivers or traffic controllers were assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and conjunctival impression cytology. MUC5AC mRNA levels were determined based on the cytology of the right eye, and GC density was assessed based on the cytology of the left eye. Mean individual levels of 24-h NO2 and PM2.5 exposure were assessed the day before examination. Possible associations between NO2 or PM2.5 levels, OSDI scores, GC densities and MUC5AC mRNA levels were verified. RESULTS: The subjects were exposed to mean PM2.5 levels of 35±12 μg/m(3) and mean NO2 levels of 189±47 μg/m(3). OSDI scores were low (7.4±8) and GC densities were 521±257 and 782±322 cell/mm(2) on the bulbar and tarsal conjunctivas, respectively. The mean GC-derived MUC5AC mRNA expression was 14±7 fM/μg of total RNA. A significant and positive correlation was observed between MUC5AC mRNA levels and tarsal GC density (p=0.018). A trend toward association between PM2.5 levels and tarsal GC cell density (p=0.052) was found. CONCLUSION: Exposure to ambient levels of air pollution impacts conjunctival GC density. An increase in MUC5AC mRNA levels may be part of an adaptive ocular surface response to long-term exposure to air pollution.
PURPOSE: To quantify ocular symptoms, goblet cells (GC) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) gene expression on the conjunctiva of healthy subjects exposed to ambient levels of traffic-derived air pollution and to estimate its correlation with NO2 and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) levels. METHODS: Twenty-one taxi drivers or traffic controllers were assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and conjunctival impression cytology. MUC5AC mRNA levels were determined based on the cytology of the right eye, and GC density was assessed based on the cytology of the left eye. Mean individual levels of 24-h NO2 and PM2.5 exposure were assessed the day before examination. Possible associations between NO2 or PM2.5 levels, OSDI scores, GC densities and MUC5AC mRNA levels were verified. RESULTS: The subjects were exposed to mean PM2.5 levels of 35±12 μg/m(3) and mean NO2 levels of 189±47 μg/m(3). OSDI scores were low (7.4±8) and GC densities were 521±257 and 782±322 cell/mm(2) on the bulbar and tarsal conjunctivas, respectively. The mean GC-derived MUC5AC mRNA expression was 14±7 fM/μg of total RNA. A significant and positive correlation was observed between MUC5AC mRNA levels and tarsal GC density (p=0.018). A trend toward association between PM2.5 levels and tarsal GC cell density (p=0.052) was found. CONCLUSION: Exposure to ambient levels of air pollution impacts conjunctival GC density. An increase in MUC5AC mRNA levels may be part of an adaptive ocular surface response to long-term exposure to air pollution.
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