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Tumour necrosis factor-α in conjunctivae affected by ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
Article first published online: 4 MAY 2007
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.00941.x
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How to Cite
Coma, M. C., Yilmaz, T. and Foster, C. S. (2007), Tumour necrosis factor-α in conjunctivae affected by ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 85: 753–755. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.00941.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 18 OCT 2007
- Article first published online: 4 MAY 2007
- Received on October 18th, 2006. Accepted on March 12th, 2007.
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Keywords:
- ocular cicatricial pemphigoid;
- tumor necrosis;
- factor alpha;
- conjunctiva;
- atopic keratoconjunctivitis
Abstract.
Purpose: The presence of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in conjunctivae affected by ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) was investigated.
Methods: Biopsy specimens from the conjunctivae of eight patients with OCP, three patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and two normal subjects were studied for the expression of TNF-α by immunohistochemistry. Two independent, masked investigators evaluated the specimens. All samples were similarly processed by a third investigator.
Results: No TNF-α was discerned in the normal conjunctival sections; small amounts of TNF-α were observed in the atopic keratoconjunctivitis specimens. TNF-α was present in substantial amounts in conjunctival sections of patients with OCP. The expression of TNF-α was detected in both epithelial and stromal cells of conjunctivae from OCP patients.
Conclusions: The presence of TNF-α in conjunctivae affected by OCP may indicate that this cytokine plays an important role in the production and maintenance of conjuctival inflammation response and subsequent conjunctival scarring in patients with OCP. Further studies clarifying this potential role are warranted.