Genetic epidemiology study of pathological myopia

OBJECTIVE

To explore the genetic epidemiology of pathological myopia (PM), including hereditary and genetic model.

METHODS

The simple segregation analysis was done by SEGRANB. The values of segregation ratio p and the proportion of sporadic cases x were estimated. The complex segregation analysis was performed using SAGE-REGD. The genetic model and gene frequency were estimated. The 62 pedigrees with PM were random samples from hospital patients.

RESULTS

By simple segregation analysis, the genetic pattern of N*N is autosomal recessive and the frequency of sporadic cases is approximately 65.72%. The genetic pattern of A*N may be autosomal recessive (but autosomal dominant cannot be excluded), the frequency of sporadic cases is approximately 35.14%. By complex segregation analysis, the genetic model of PM is autosomal recessive and the gene frequency is 0.147385.

CONCLUSION

PM is compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance (autosomal dominant not excluded ), the sporadic cases are existent and the gene frequency is 0.147385.

Binding of phytochrome B to its nuclear signalling partner PIF3 is reversibly induced by light

The phytochrome photoreceptor family directs plant gene expression by switching between biologically inactive and active conformers in response to the sequential absorption of red and farred photons. Several intermediates that act late in the phytochrome signalling pathway have been identified, but fewer have been identified that act early in the pathway. We have cloned a nuclear basic helix-loop-helix protein, PIF3, which can bind to non-photoactive carboxy-terminal fragments of phytochromes A and B and functions in phytochrome signalling in vivo. Here we show that full-length photoactive phytochrome B binds PIF3 in vitro only upon light-induced conversion to its active form, and that photoconversion back to its inactive form causes dissociation from PIF3. We conclude that photosensory signalling by phytochrome B involves light-induced, conformer-specific recognition of the putative transcriptional regulator PIF3, providing a potential mechanism for direct photoregulation of gene expression.

poc1: an Arabidopsis mutant perturbed in phytochrome signaling because of a T DNA insertion in the promoter of PIF3, a gene encoding a phytochrome-interacting bHLH protein

The phytochrome family of informational photoreceptors has a central role in regulating light-responsive gene expression, but the mechanism of intracellular signal transduction has remained elusive. In a genetic screen for T DNA-tagged Arabidopsis mutants affected in early signaling intermediates, we identified poc1 (photocurrent 1), which exhibits enhanced responsiveness to red light. This phenotype is absent in a phyB (phytochrome B) null mutant background, indicating that the poc1 mutation enhances phyB signal transduction. The T DNA insertion in poc1 was found to be located in the promoter region of PIF3, a gene encoding a basic helix-loop-helix protein. The mutant phenotype seems to result from insertion-induced overexpression of this gene in red-light-grown seedlings, consistent with PIF3 functioning as a positively acting signaling intermediate. These findings, combined with data from a separate yeast two-hybrid screen that identified PIF3 as a phytochrome-interacting factor necessary for normal signaling, provide evidence that phytochrome signal transduction may include a direct pathway to photoresponsive nuclear genes via physical interaction of the photoreceptor molecules with the potential transcriptional regulator PIF3.

[Determination of ten Chinese traditional medicines made in Jiangxi province by AAS]

The quantities of 21 microelements were determined in 10 Chinese traditional medicines, using both flame and graphite oven atomic absorption spectrometry. We studied the efficacies of such Chinese medicaments. The result showed the efficacies related to the inorganic microelements.

[Study on the mutual interference of rare earth elements by ICP-AES]

In this paper, the mutual interference of rare earth elements have been studied by ICP-AES. Thirty seven analyte lines of sixteen rare earth elemnts have been investigated. It is found useful to correctly select analyte lines of rare earth elements and overcome their mutual interference.

PIF3, a phytochrome-interacting factor necessary for normal photoinduced signal transduction, is a novel basic helix-loop-helix protein

The mechanism by which the phytochrome (phy) photoreceptor family transduces informational light signals to photoresponsive genes is unknown. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have identified a phytochrome-interacting factor, PIF3, a basic helix-loop-helix protein containing a PAS domain. PIF3 binds to wild-type C-terminal domains of both phyA and phyB, but less strongly to signaling-defective, missense mutant-containing domains. Expression of sense or antisense PIF3 sequences in transgenic Arabidopsis perturbs photoresponsiveness in a manner indicating that PIF3 functions in both phyA and phyB signaling pathways in vivo. PIF3 localized to the nucleus in transient transfection experiments, indicating a potential role in controlling gene expression. Together, the data suggest that phytochrome signaling to photoregulated genes includes a direct pathway involving physical interaction between the photoreceptor and a transcriptional regulator.

Wavelet filter: pure-intensity spatial filters that implement wavelet transforms

Saloma [Opt. Lett. 20, 1943 (1995)] proposed the concept of mirrors with point-spread functions that exhibit wavelet-related characteristics. We propose novel filters with wavelet point-spread functions. The mirrors are suggested to reform not only the phases of optical waves, but also the filters for amplitude. The transmittance functions of the filters, which are real and positive under some conditions, are given. Optical wavelet transforms can easily be made with these filters, and computer simulations for edge and corner extractions are given.

GT-2: in vivo transcriptional activation activity and definition of novel twin DNA binding domains with reciprocal target sequence selectivity

GT-2 is a novel DNA binding protein that interacts with a triplet functionally defined, positively acting GT-box motifs (GT1-bx, GT2-bx, and GT3-bx) in the rice phytochrome A gene (PHYA) promoter. Data from a transient transfection assay used here show that recombinant GT-2 enhanced transcription from both homologous and heterologous GT-box-containing promoters, thereby indicating that this protein can function as a transcriptional activator in vivo. Previously, we have shown that GT-2 contains separate DNA binding determinants in its N- and C-terminal halves, with binding site preferences for the GT3-bx and GT2-bx promoter motifs, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that the minimal DNA binding domains reside within dual 90-amino acid polypeptide segments encompassing duplicated sequences, termed trihelix regions, in each half of the molecule, plus 15 additional immediately adjacent amino acids downstream. These minimal binding domains retained considerable target sequence selectivity for the different GT-box motifs, but this selectivity was enhanced by a separate polypeptide segment farther downstream on the C-terminal side of each trihelix region. Therefore, the data indicate that the twin DNA binding domains of GT-2 each consist of a general GT-box recognition core with intrinsic differential binding activity toward closely related target motifs and a modified sequence conferring higher resolution reciprocal selectivity between these motifs.

Sequence-specific interactions of wound-inducible nuclear factors with mannopine synthase 2' promoter wound-responsive elements

A 318 bp mannopine synthase 2' (mas2') promoter element from the T-DNA of Agrobacterium tumefacians can direct wound-inducible and root-preferential expression of a linked uidA gene in transgenic tobacco plants. Wound inducibility is further enhanced by sucrose in the medium. Promoter deletion analysis indicated that the sucrose enhancement is conferred by a region extending from -318 to -213. DNase I footprinting indicated that an A/T-rich DNA sequence in this region is protected by tobacco nuclear factors. Regions extending from -103 to +66 and from -213 to -138 directed wound-inducibile expression of a linked uidA gene when placed downstream of a CaMV 35S enhancer or upstream of a truncated (-209) CaMV 35S promoter, respectively. DNase I footprinting analyses indicated that proteins from wounded tobacco leaves specifically bound to three contiguous motifs downstream of the mas2' TATA box. In addition to a common retarded band formed by the upstream wound-responsive element complexed with proteins from either wounded or unwounded tobacco leaves, two unique retarded bands were observed when this element was incubated with protein from wounded leaves. Methylation interference analysis additionally identified an unique motif composed of promoter elements and nuclear factors derived specifically from wounded tobacco leaves. We propose a model to describe the involvement of nuclear factors with mas2' promoter elements in wound-inducible gene expression.

Triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia crenata

Two novel triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside A [3 beta-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)- 13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] and ardisicrenoside B [3 beta-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Two known triterpenoid saponins, ardisiacrispins A and B were also isolated from this source. Their structures were determined mainly by 2D NMR (COSY, HOHAHA, HETCOR, HMBC and ROESY) experiments. The aglycones are the new 13 beta,28-epoxy-3 beta,16 alpha,30-oleananetriol for ardisicrenosides A and B.

Triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia crenata and their inhibitory activity on cAMP phosphodiesterase

Two novel triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside C (1) [3 beta-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-16 alpha, 28-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid 30-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester] and ardisicrenoside D (2) [3 beta-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl)-16 alpha, 28-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-30-oic acid 30-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Structure assignments are based on spectroscopic data including 2D-NMR (correlation spectroscopy (COSY), homonuclear Hartmann-Hahn spectroscopy (HOHAHA), heteronuclear correlated spectroscopy (HETCOR), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) and rotating frame NOE spectroscopy (ROESY)) experiments and some chemical reactions. In addition, the isolated saponins along with their prosapogenins and sapogenins have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity on cAMP phosphodiesterase as a primary screening test for new medicinal compounds.

Serum antiocular antibodies in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Although the uveitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is presumed to have an autoimmune etiology, its pathogenesis is unknown. We utilized immunohistochemical techniques to detect the presence of serum antibodies directed against ocular tissues in these patients. The staining patterns of serum from patients with JRA, with and without uveitis, were compared with normal controls. Antibodies directed against epitopes in iris and ciliary body basement membranes, lens epithelium and fibers, Bruch's membrane, and iris and retinal blood vessels were observed in the sera of several individuals. These staining patterns were statistically more frequent among the pauciarticular and polyarticular JRA patients, with and without uveitis, than either the systemic JRA or normal populations. These results demonstrate the presence of antiocular antibodies in the sera of JRA patients, with and without uveitis. Whether those nonuveitic JRA patients with antiocular antibodies will develop uveitis is unknown at this time.

Human retinoblastoma cells express alpha B-crystallin in vivo and in vitro

alpha B-crystallin is a major lens protein that is a member of the heat-shock family of proteins. Using immunohistochemical and northern blot techniques, we now demonstrate its presence in freshly-fixed retinoblastoma tissue. The protein is also abundantly expressed in cultured human retinoblastoma cells (Y-79 NEI, WERI Rb-1) as well as two subcultured Y-79 lines (ATCC and GM01232C). High expression of alpha B-crystallin may be involved in tumor growth and/or be a marker for general oncogenic "stress" in the tumor tissue.

A laboratory evaluation of the Kowa laser flare-cell meter for the study of uveitis

The Kowa FC-1000 laser flare-cell meter (LFCM) has been described as an instrument which will objectively quantify inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye. We evaluated the LFCM using the intravenous endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) rabbit model of ocular inflammation. In vitro flare and cell calibration measurements utilizing bovine serum albumin (BSA) and latex particles, respectively, were also performed. A linear relationship between the flare measurements and BSA concentrations was noted. In addition, the time course of the LFCM flare count in EIU was comparable to previously published fluorophotometric data. However, the LFCM reported cells in the anterior chamber of the EIU rabbits despite negative cytology and histology results. The LFCM also recorded cells in BSA solutions which contained neither cells nor latex particles. Our results suggest that although the LFCM may be useful for evaluating flare, its cell measurements are not accurate in cases of severe uveitis.

[Constituents of the dry roots of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch]

From the extract of dry roots of Rehmannia glutimosa, fatty acids, palmitic acid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol and sulfur (Ss) cyclic compound were isolated and identified. The latter four were isolated for the first time.

Developmental expression of S-antigen in fetal human and rat eye

Development expression of S-antigen and its mRNA in human and rat fetal retina was studied by immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. Immunocytochemistry indicated that S-antigen was present after 4 months gestation in the fetal human retina. In the rat, S-antigen was detected in the retina only after birth. In situ hybridization studies indicated that the S-antigen mRNA was present at 13 weeks gestational age in the human and at 15 days in the rat embryo. S-antigen mRNA was expressed not only in the retina but also in ocular tissues of neural crest origin in the fetus.

Characterization of tonoplast polypeptides isolated from corn seedling roots

Tonoplast vesicles were isolated by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation in the presence of Mg(2+) from 5 day old corn (Zea mays L., Golden Cross Bantam) seedling roots. Marker enzyme assays indicated only a low degree of cross-contamination of tonoplast vesicles at the 10/23% (weight/weight) interface by other membrane components. Severalfold enrichment of tonoplast ATPase and pyrophosphatase was indicated in tonoplast fractions by dot blot studies with antibodies against an oat tonoplast ATPase and a mung bean tonoplast pyrophosphatase. Comparison of two-dimensional electrophoretic gels of tonoplast and microsomal membrane polypeptides revealed approximately 68 polypeptides to be specific to tonoplast by silver staining. Immunoblot analysis with antibodies against a tonoplast holoenzyme ATPase from oat roots revealed the presence of the 72, 60, and 41 kilodalton polypeptides in isolated tonoplast vesicles from corn roots. Affinity blotting with concanavalin A and secondary antibodies indicated the degree of glycosylation of tonoplast polypeptides, where 21 of 68 tonoplast-specific polypeptides contained detectable carbohydrate moieties. Salt and NaOH washes removed 38 of the tonoplast-specific polypeptides, indicating a peripheral association with the membrane. Thirteen of the peripheral polypeptides and eight of the integral polypeptides were identified as glycoproteins. This information on the polypeptide composition of the tonoplast of root cells will aid in gaining insight into the role of this membrane in controlling vacuolar functions.

[Analysis and comparison of acidic constituents in petroleum ether-soluble fraction of radix Rehmanniae and its processed products]

The acidic constituents in petroleum ether extract of the roots Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis were fractionated and analyzed by GC-MS. 19 Kinds of acidic constituents were identified and 11 of them (the main components) were compared between Rehmanniae Radix and its processed products.

Injury of Müller cells increases the incidence of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Müller cells have been shown to have a dual effect in vitro on autoimmune T helper lymphocytes. In a coculture system, Müller cells have a primary inhibitory effect on the proliferation of T lymphocytes. In conditions where their inhibitory action is suppressed, Müller cells can, however, stimulate T cells. In the present study we evaluated the in vivo effect of Müller cells on actively induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Ten millimoles of L-alpha-aminoadipic acid (L-AAA), a specific gliotoxic agent, was injected into the vitreous of one eye of Wistar-Furth (WF) rats (a low EAU responder) on the day of immunization. Control rats were injected similarly with phosphate-buffered saline alone. The rats were immunized with S-antigen in CFA or in CFA alone. The results demonstrate that the incidence of EAU increases twofold in the eyes receiving an intravitreal injection of L-AAA in comparison to the contralateral eyes not receiving an injection. No such difference in EAU incidence was observed in control animals. Some rats that had been immunized with CFA alone after an intravitreal injection of L-AAA demonstrated a small amount of retinal perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrate but did not develop typical EAU lesions. The retinal vasculature was normal on examination by fluorescein angiography after injection of L-AAA. These data suggest that Müller cells can influence the course of uveoretinitis through their interaction with T cells.

Ocular inflammation stimulated by intravitreal interleukin-8 and interleukin-1

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a cytokine with neutrophil chemotactic and activating properties, is known to be stimulated by IL-1. Fischer rats are more resistant to inflammation than Lewis rats probably due to a higher corticosteroid stress response. To determine the role of IL-8 in ocular inflammation, the effect of intravitreal injection of IL-8 was compared with that of IL-1 in both Lewis and Fischer rats. The IL-8, IL-1 alpha, or sterile balanced salt solution (control) was injected into one eye of each animal. Both IL-8 and IL-1 alpha caused inflammation in the eye of both strains, as detected by leukocyte counts of the anterior chamber and histopathologic examination. The eyes of animals injected with a cytokine had significantly higher numbers of leukocytes compared with eyes of control animals. Histopathologic examination confirmed these findings. The IL-1 alpha induced inflammation more consistently and more severely than the most effective dose of IL-8. This finding agreed with the concept of IL-1 initiating a cascade of inflammatory mediators including IL-8, which acts more specifically on a smaller population of leukocytes. A contralateral response was observed in the uninjected eye of experimental and control animals. The contralateral response in animals receiving the cytokines was significantly greater than that in controls. Lewis rats show a higher inflammatory response to the injections than do the Fischer rats. These data suggest that IL-8 may be active as one component in neutrophil-mediated ocular inflammation.

Effects of antiflammins on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats

Antiflammins are phospholipase A2-inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, synthetic oligopeptides derived from the region of the highest amino-acid sequence similarity between uteroglobin and lipocortin I. Endotoxin-induced uveitis is a model for anterior uveitis of the eye, which has been suggested to be induced through phospholipase A2 activation. In a preliminary report we demonstrated that topical administration of antiflammins could inhibit endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of antiflammins were compared with those of corticosteroids on endotoxin-induced uveitis as measured by phospholipase A2 enzyme activity, inflammatory cell counts in the aqueous humor, and histopathologic features. Antiflammins are as effective as corticosteroids in their ability to suppress endotoxin-induced uveitis.

Essential arginine residues in the nitrate uptake system from corn seedling roots

Three dicarbonyl reagents were used to demonstrate the presence of an essential arginine residue in the NO(3) (-) uptake system from corn seedling roots (Zea mays L., Golden Cross Bantam). Incubation of corn seedlings with 2,3-butanedione (0.125-1.0 millimolar) and 1,2-cyclohexanedione (0.5-4.0 millimolar) in the presence of borate or with phenylglyoxal (0.25-2.0 millimolar) at pH 7.0 and 30 degrees C resulted in a time-dependent loss of NO(3) (-) uptake following pseudo-first-order kinetics. Second-order rate constants obtained from slopes of linear plots of pseudo-first-order rate constants versus reagent concentrations were 1.67 x 10(-2), 0.68 x 10(-2), and 1.00 x 10(-2) millimolar per minute for 2,3-butanedione, 1,2-cyclohexanedione, and phenylglyoxal, respectively, indicating the faster rate of inactivation with 2,3-butanedione at equimolar concentration. Double log plots of pseudo-first-order rate constants versus reagent concentrations yielded slope values of 1.031 (2,3-butanedione), 1.004 (1,2-cyclohexanedione), and 1.067 (phenylglyoxal), respectively, suggesting the modification of a single arginine residue. The effectiveness of the dicarbonyl reagents appeared to increase with increasing medium pH from 5.5 to 8.0. Unaltered K(m) and decreased V(max) in the presence of reagents indicate the inactivation of the modified carriers with unaltered properties. The results thus obtained indicate that the NO(3) (-) transport system possesses at least one essential arginine residue.

Pathology of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in mice

The histopathology and immunopathology of murine experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) following active immunization with the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) were studied. The methods used included conventional light microscopy and immunoperoxidase staining. Lesions were located mainly in the uvea and the retina and were characteristically focal. The prominent histopathologic findings in the retina were vasculitis, granuloma, retinal fold, focal serous detachment, and loss of photoreceptors. Granulomas, formation of Dalen-Fuchs nodules, inflammatory cellular infiltration and increase in the thickness of the choroid and ciliary body were frequent findings. Subretinal neovascularization occurred in 10% of the experimental animals. Mild to moderate inflammation was also noted in the vitreous. The predominant infiltrating cells in the retinal and uveal granuloma and the Dalen-Fuchs nodules were macrophages. In contrast, the predominant infiltrating cell types in the vitreous were T helper/inducer lymphocytes. T suppressor/cytotoxic cells were rarely seen. Expression of Ia antigens on the ocular cells was confined to the immediate area of the inflammatory sites. The kinetics of histopathology showed two peaks at the 5th and 10th week after immunization, suggesting a relapsing course of the disease.

FR900506 (FK506) and 15-deoxyspergualin (15-DSG) modulate the kinetics of infiltrating cells in eyes with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

In order to evaluate two new immunosuppressive agents, FR900506 (FK 506) and 15-Deoxyspergualine (15-DSG), the kinetics of infiltrating cells in the eyes of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) were studied. Rats were immunized with retinal S-antigen and treated with different doses of either FK 506 or 15-DSG. The inflammatory ocular tissues obtained at various intervals during the process of EAU were examined using an immunoperoxidase technique. The results were compared with those eyes developing EAU without treatment or with suboptimal doses or a suboptimal dose of Cyclosporine (CsA). Both FK 506 and 15-DSG, like CsA, delayed the cellular kinetics during the course of EAU. However, FK 506 had the greatest effect on the kinetics of T lymphocyte subsets by causing the greatest increase in the recruitment time of the T suppressor/cytotoxic population. FK506 treatment resulted not only in the highest inhibition of expression of IL-2 receptors on T cells, but also in the prevention of the expression of MHC class II antigens on ocular resident cells. Treatment with 15-DSG resulted in general immunosuppression on various infiltrating inflammatory cells.

Immunopharmacological studies of qingkaining, a Chinese blended medicine: effects on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in the rat

Qingkaining, a blended Chinese medicine, is reported to be effective in treating patients with uveitis in China. In this study, the immunomodulatory effectiveness of this drug was evaluated on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by S-antigen (S-Ag). Rats treated with high (2.5 cc/kg/day) and low (1 cc/kg/day) doses of Qingkaining, high (10 mg/kg/day) and low (3 mg/kg/day) doses of Cyclosporine A (CsA) and a combination of high or low dose of Qingkaining and low dose CsA were compared by the following parameters: clinical manifestations, histopathology, skin delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, lymphocyte proliferative responses and serum anti-S-antigen antibody production. The incidences of clinically and histopathologically determined EAU were 14.29% and 28.57% respectively in the rats treated with high and low doses of Qingkaining in comparison to 57.14% and none in the rats treated with low and high doses of CsA. EAU did not develop in the rats treated with the combination of low dose CsA and low or high doses of Qingkaining. The skin DTH reaction showed a diminished response in the rats treated with either Qingkaining or CsA. However, the lymphocyte proliferative responses and anti-S-Ag antibody were not effected in the rats treated with Qingkaining alone. This study demonstrates that Qingkaining is a potent immunosuppressive agent in this model for human disease. The experimental data support the clinical effectiveness of Qingkaining in the treatment of patients with uveitis.

Iris inflammatory cells, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin in various ocular diseases

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.

Immunohistochemical markers in the normal human epibulbar conjunctiva from fetus to adult

Monoclonal antibodies were used for the study of inflammatory cellular subtypes, Langerhans' cells, and major histocompatibility complex class II antigens on the epibulbar conjunctiva obtained from individuals ranging in age from fetus to the seventh decade to compile basic data for comparison with other inflammatory and proliferative conjunctival diseases. In the fetal conjunctiva, there were significantly fewer T cells and Langerhans' cells than in adult conjunctiva. In the adult conjunctiva, a mild T-cell infiltration was observed. Expression of HLA-DQ in the 20- to 50-year-old age group was significantly lower compared with fetal and other age groups.