Laboratory Study
Eye (2007) 21, 649–657. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702342; published online 7 April 2006
Expression of chemokines and gelatinase B in sympathetic ophthalmia
A M Abu El-Asrar1, S Struyf2, C Van den Broeck3, J Van Damme2, G Opdenakker2, K Geboes4 and P Kestelyn5
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 2Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- 3Department of Pathology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- 4Laboratory of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- 5Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence: AM Abu El-Asrar, Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Airport Road, PO Box 245, Riyadh 11411, Saudi Arabia. Tel: +966 1 477 5723; Fax: +966 1 477 5724. E-mail: abuasrar@KSU.edu.sa
Received 11 October 2005; Accepted 14 February 2006; Published online 7 April 2006.
Abstract
Purpose
To examine the expression of gelatinase B (matrix metalloproteinase-9) and the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (CCL2/MCP-1) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12/SDF-1) in sympathetic ophthalmia (SO).
Methods
Five enucleated exciting eyes with a clinical diagnosis and typical histopathological findings of SO were studied by immunohistochemical techniques using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1. In addition, a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was used to characterize the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate.
Results
In all cases, the extensive uveal inflammatory infiltrate was organized as a diffuse infiltrate and as large granulomas consisting of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells. CD20+ B lymphocytes predominated in the diffuse infiltrate and CD3+ T lymphocytes were few. The monocyte/macrophage marker CD68 was expressed in scattered inflammatory mononuclear cells and within granulomas and Dalen–Fuchs nodules. Most of the inflammatory cells were HLA-DR+. Immunoreactivity for gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1 was observed in cells within granulomas and in scattered epithelioid cells. Immunoreactivity for MCP-1 was noted in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Endothelial cells of choriocapillaries showed weak immunoreactivity for SDF-1.
Conclusions
Gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1 might have a pathogenic role in the recruitment of leucocytes into the eye in SO.
Keywords:
sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitis, gelatinase B, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, stromal cell-derived factor-1
