Iris inflammatory cells, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin in various ocular diseases
M. Ni, C. C. Chan, R. B. Nussenblatt, S. Z. Li and W. Mao
Zhongshan Ophtalmic Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Using immunohistochemical techniques, we analyzed the inflammatory cell
subpopulation and the presence of fibronectin and immunoglobulin in
iridectomy specimens from 50 patients with cataracts, glaucoma, and
uveitis, and from ten normal eyes. The irises from patients with uveitis
showed the highest numbers of T-lymphocytic infiltration compared with all
other groups. Concentrations of fibronectin, fibrinogen, and
immunoglobulins were significantly higher in the uveitic group compared
with other diseases and normal controls. The irises from patients with
glaucoma showed fewer infiltrating cells and less fibronectin and
fibrinogen. Enhancement of major histocompatibility complex class II
antigen HLA-DR expression was observed in all disease groups compared with
controls. These findings suggest that in patients with uveitis and acute
glaucoma the infiltrating T lymphocytes and the presence of fibronectin,
fibrinogen, and immunoglobulins may contribute to the greater risk of
postsurgical inflammation, leading to such problems as closure of the
iridectomy. The enhancement of HLA-DR antigen expression in the iris may
indicate abnormalities of iris resident cells seen in various diseases.
