Inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression in sympathetic ophthalmia: a pilot study

Histol Histopathol. 2011 Sep;26(9):1145-51. doi: 10.14670/HH-26.1145.

Abstract

Sympathetic ophthalmia is a bilateral uveitis that develops after penetrating injury to one eye. This study aimed to identify the inflammatory cellular sub-phenotypes and expression of pertinent inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in sympathetic ophthalmia (SO). Dalen-Fuchs nodules (DFN), granulomas, and non-granulomatous foci of inflammation were micro-dissected from 15 cases. RNA was extracted, and quantitative PCR was performed to measure IL-17, IL-18, IL-23, IFN-γ, CCL19, CXCL11, CCL17, and CCL22 transcripts. Immunohistochemical methods were used to characterize CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, and CD163 expression. Non-granulomatous lymphocytes were predominantly CD3-positive and expressed more IFN-γ than cells within granulomas, consistent with Th1 cells. In contrast, granulomas and DFN contained mainly CD68+, CD163+/- and expressed more IL-17, IL-18, IL-23, CCL19, and CXCL11 than non-granulomatous cells. Our data indicate for the first time that M1 macrophages are the predominant inflammatory cells within granulomas and DFN of SO. We further observed high levels of IL-17 within granulomas and the presence of Th1 and M1 cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chemokines / biosynthesis*
  • Child
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Eye Injuries / complications
  • Eye Injuries / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Male
  • Microdissection
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmia, Sympathetic / metabolism*
  • Ophthalmia, Sympathetic / pathology
  • Pilot Projects
  • RNA / biosynthesis
  • RNA / isolation & purification
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Uveitis / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • RNA