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Chiang JCB, Roy M, Kim J, Markoulli M, Krishnan AV. In-vivo corneal confocal microscopy: Imaging analysis, biological insights and future directions. Commun Biol 2023; 6:652. [PMID: 37336941 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05005-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In-vivo corneal confocal microscopy is a powerful imaging technique which provides clinicians and researcher with the capabilities to observe microstructures at the ocular surfaces in significant detail. In this Mini Review, the optics and image analysis methods with the use of corneal confocal microscopy are discussed. While novel insights of neuroanatomy and biology of the eyes, particularly the ocular surface, have been provided by corneal confocal microscopy, some debatable elements observed using this technique remain and these are explored in this Mini Review. Potential improvements in imaging methodology and instrumentation are also suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Chung Bo Chiang
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Optometry, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, NSW, UK
| | - Maitreyee Roy
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Juno Kim
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Markoulli
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Arun V Krishnan
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Dericioğlu V, Akkaya Turhan S, Erdem HE, Sevik MO, Erdil E, Sünter G, Ağan K, Toker E. In Vivo Corneal Confocal Microscopy in Multiple Sclerosis: Can it Differentiate Disease Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis? Am J Ophthalmol 2023; 250:138-148. [PMID: 36669610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the role of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM) in the detection of corneal inflammatory activity and subbasal nerve alterations in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to further determine whether IVCCM can be used to detect (acute) disease relapse. DESIGN Prospective cross-sectional study, with a subgroup follow-up. METHODS This single-center study included 58 patients with MS (MS-Relapse group [n = 27] and MS-Remission group [n = 31]), and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Patients with a history of optic neuritis or trigeminal symptoms were excluded. Corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), and dendritic cell (DC) density were evaluated in all patients with MS and control subjects by IVCCM. Patients in the MS-Relapse group who were in remission for ≥6 months after the MS incident underwent a repeat IVCCM. RESULTS No statistical difference was observed between the MS-Relapse and MS-Remission groups regarding age, sex, MS duration, and the number of relapses (P > .05). Compared with healthy control subjects, all subbasal nerve parameters were significantly lower (CNFD: P < .001, CNFL: P < .001, CNBD: P < .001), and the DC density was significantly higher (P = .023) in patients with MS. However, no significant difference was observed between MS-Relapse and MS-Remission groups in terms of CNFD (mean [SE] difference -2.05 [1.69] fibers/mm2 [95% confidence interval {CI} -1.32 to 5.43]; P < .227), CNFL (mean [SE] difference -1.10 [0.83] mm/mm2 [95% CI -0.56 to 2.75]; P < .190), CNBD (mean [SE] difference -3.91 [2.48] branches/mm2 [95% CI -1.05 to 8.87]; P < .120), and DC density (median [IQR], 59.38 [43.75-85.0] vs 75.0 [31.25-128.75]; P = .596). The repeat IVCCM in relapse patients (n = 16 [59.3%]) showed a significant increase in CNFD (P = .036) and CNBD (P = .018), but no change was observed in CNFL (P = .075) and DC density (P = .469). CONCLUSION Although increased inflammation and neurodegeneration can be demonstrated in patients with MS compared with healthy control subjects, a single time point evaluation of IVCCM does not seem to be sufficient to confirm the occurrence of relapse in patients with MS. However, IVCCM holds promise for demonstrating early neuroregeneration in patients with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Dericioğlu
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (V.D., S.A.T., H.E.E., M.O.S.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Semra Akkaya Turhan
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (V.D., S.A.T., H.E.E., M.O.S.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Halit Eren Erdem
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (V.D., S.A.T., H.E.E., M.O.S.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Orkun Sevik
- From the Department of Ophthalmology (V.D., S.A.T., H.E.E., M.O.S.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esra Erdil
- and the Department of Neurology (E.E., G.S., K.A.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gülin Sünter
- and the Department of Neurology (E.E., G.S., K.A.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kadriye Ağan
- and the Department of Neurology (E.E., G.S., K.A.), Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ebru Toker
- and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (E.T.), West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
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Ponirakis G, Al-Janahi I, Elgassim E, Gad H, Petropoulos IN, Khan A, Ali H, Siddique MA, Gul W, Ferdousi M, Kalteniece A, Mohamed FF, Ahmed LH, Dakroury Y, El Shewehy AM, Al-Mohamedi A, AlMarri F, Homssi M, Qazi M, Hadid NH, Al-Khayat F, Mahfoud ZR, Azmi S, Alam U, Zirie MA, Al-Ansari Y, Jayyousi A, Rigby AS, Kilpatrick ES, Atkin SL, Malik RA. Progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers is associated with physical inactivity and glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain in type 2 diabetes. J Diabetes Investig 2022; 13:1703-1710. [PMID: 35652859 PMCID: PMC9533053 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims/Introduction Limited studies have identified risk factors linked to the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association of risk factors with change in neuropathy measures over 2 years. Materials and Methods Participants with type 2 diabetes (n = 78) and controls (n = 26) underwent assessment of clinical and metabolic parameters and neuropathy using corneal confocal microscopy (CCM), vibration perception threshold (VPT), and the DN4 questionnaire at baseline and 2 year follow‐up. Results Participants with type 2 diabetes had a lower corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), branch density (CNBD), and fiber length (CNFL) (P ≤ 0.0001) and a higher VPT (P ≤ 0.01) compared with controls. Over 2 years, despite a modest reduction in HbA1c (P ≤ 0.001), body weight (P ≤ 0.05), and LDL (P ≤ 0.05) the prevalence of DPN (P = 0.28) and painful DPN (P = 0.21) did not change, but there was a significant further reduction in CNBD (P ≤ 0.0001) and CNFL (P ≤ 0.05). CNFD, CNBD, and CNFL decreased significantly in physically inactive subjects (P < 0.05–0.0001), whilst there was no change in CNFD (P = 0.07) or CNFL (P = 0.85) in physically active subjects. Furthermore, there was no change in CNFD (P = 0.82), CNBD (P = 0.08), or CNFL (P = 0.66) in patients treated with glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss, whilst CNBD (P = 0.001) decreased in patients on glucose lowering medication associated with weight gain. Conclusions In participants with type 2 diabetes, despite a modest improvement in HbA1c, body weight, and LDL there was a progressive loss of corneal nerve fibers; except in those who were physically active or on glucose lowering medication associated with weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Ponirakis
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ibrahim Al-Janahi
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Einas Elgassim
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hoda Gad
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Adnan Khan
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamda Ali
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mashhood A Siddique
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Wajiha Gul
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maryam Ferdousi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alise Kalteniece
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Fatima Fs Mohamed
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lina Hm Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Youssra Dakroury
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abeer Mm El Shewehy
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Fatema AlMarri
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Moayad Homssi
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Murtaza Qazi
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nebras H Hadid
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fatima Al-Khayat
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ziyad R Mahfoud
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shazli Azmi
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Uazman Alam
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine and the Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, and Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mahmoud A Zirie
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yousuf Al-Ansari
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amin Jayyousi
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alan S Rigby
- Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK
| | - Eric S Kilpatrick
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Kingston Upon Hull, UK
| | - Stephen L Atkin
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.,Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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Corneal Dendritic Cell Dynamics Are Associated with Clinical Factors in Type 1 Diabetes. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092611. [PMID: 35566743 PMCID: PMC9101330 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Time-lapsed in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM) has shown that corneal dendritic cells (DCs) migrate at approximately 1 µm/min in healthy humans. We have undertaken IVCCM of the whorl region to compare the density of rounded DCs, and DCs with (wDCs) and without (woDCs) dendrites and dynamics; trajectory (length travelled/time), displacement (distance from origin to endpoint/time) speeds and persistence ratio (displacement/trajectory) of woDCs in subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10). Only the wDC density was higher (p = 0.02) in subjects with T1D compared to controls. There was no significant difference in cell dynamics between subjects with T1D and controls. woDC density correlated directly with HDL cholesterol (r = 0.59, p = 0.007) and inversely with triglycerides (r = −0.61, p = 0.005), whilst round-shaped cell density correlated inversely with HDL cholesterol (r = −0.54, p = 0.007). Displacement, trajectory, and persistency correlated significantly with eGFR (mL/min) (r = 0.74, p < 0.001; r = 0.48, p = 0.031; r = 0.58, p = 0.008, respectively). We show an increase in wDC density but no change in any other DC sub-type or alteration in cell dynamics in T1D. However, there were associations between DC density and lipid parameters and between DC dynamics and renal function. IVCCM provides evidence of a link between immune cell dynamics with lipid levels and renal function.
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Ponirakis G, Elhadd T, Al Ozairi E, Brema IA, Subitha Chinnaiyan ND, Taghadom E, Al Kandari J, Al Wotayan R, Al Ozairi A, Aljohani N, AlMistehi W, Al Qahtani N, Khan S, Dabbous Z, Siddique MA, Petropoulos IN, Khan A, Almuhannadi H, Ashawesh KAE, Dukhan KM, Mahfoud ZR, Zirie MA, Jayyousi A, Malik RA. Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain and foot ulceration in the Arabian Gulf Region. J Diabetes Investig 2022; 13:1551-1559. [PMID: 35445568 PMCID: PMC9434582 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims/Introduction This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), painful DPN and diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) in patients with type 2 diabetes in secondary healthcare in Qatar, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods Adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes were randomly enrolled from secondary healthcare, and underwent clinical and metabolic assessment. DPN was evaluated using vibration perception threshold and neuropathic symptoms and painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy was evaluated using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire. Results A total of 3,021 individuals were recruited between June 2017 and May 2019. The prevalence of DPN was 33.3%, of whom 52.2% were at risk of DFU and 53.6% were undiagnosed. The prevalence of painful DPN was 43.3%, of whom 54.3% were undiagnosed. DFU was present in 2.9%. The adjusted odds ratios for DPN and painful DPN were higher with increasing diabetes duration, obesity, poor glycemic control and hyperlipidemia, and lower with greater physical activity. The adjusted odds ratio for DFU was higher with the presence of DPN, severe loss of vibration perception, hypertension and vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions This is the largest study to date from the Middle East showing a high prevalence of undiagnosed DPN, painful DPN and those at risk of DFU in patients with type 2 diabetes, and identifies their respective risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Ponirakis
- Deparrment of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tarik Elhadd
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,National Diabetes Center, Al-Wakra Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ebaa Al Ozairi
- Department of Clinical Research, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.,Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Imad A Brema
- Obesity Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - N D Subitha Chinnaiyan
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Etab Taghadom
- Department of Clinical Research, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.,Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Jumana Al Kandari
- Department of Clinical Research, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.,Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Rehab Al Wotayan
- Department of Clinical Research, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.,Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Abdulla Al Ozairi
- Department of Clinical Research, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.,Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Naji Aljohani
- Obesity Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael AlMistehi
- Obesity Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Nora Al Qahtani
- Obesity Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Shawana Khan
- Obesity Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeinab Dabbous
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mashhood A Siddique
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ioannis N Petropoulos
- Deparrment of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Adnan Khan
- Deparrment of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hamad Almuhannadi
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaled A E Ashawesh
- National Diabetes Center, Al-Wakra Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaled M Dukhan
- National Diabetes Center, Al-Wakra Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ziyad R Mahfoud
- Deparrment of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mahmoud A Zirie
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amin Jayyousi
- National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rayaz A Malik
- Deparrment of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,National Diabetes Center, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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The Relationship between Corneal Nerve Morphology and Inflammatory Mediators and Neuropeptides in Healthy Individuals. Optom Vis Sci 2021; 97:145-153. [PMID: 32168236 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000001484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE This study set out to explore the relationship between the ocular surface immune and nervous systems by exploring corneal nerve structure and the presence of inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides in the tear film. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the association between corneal nerve morphology and tear film inflammatory mediators and a neuropeptide in healthy individuals. METHODS Flush tears were collected from both eyes of 21 healthy participants aged 39.7 ± 9.9 years (10 females, 11 males) and analyzed for substance P, matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6. In vivo central corneal confocal microscopy was performed on the right eye, and eight images were captured. Variables measured were corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density, fiber total branch density, corneal nerve fiber area, corneal nerve fiber width (CNFW), and corneal nerve fractal dimension (CNFrac). For each eye, the average across the images and the maximum and minimum values were determined for each variable. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to test for associations. RESULTS Substance P correlated with CNFrac (max) (r = -0.48, P = .03) and CNFW (min) (r = -0.52, P = .02). TIMP-1 correlated with CNFD (average) (r = -0.53, P = .03), CNFL (average) (r = -0.49, P = .05), CNFrac (max) (r = -0.49, P = .05), and CNFD (min) (r = -0.55, P = .02). Interleukin 6 correlated with CNFW (average) (r = -0.49, P = .05), the standard deviation of CNFL (r = -0.51, P = .04), CNFL (max) (r = -0.50, P = .04), CNFrac (max) (r = -0.50, P = .04), and CNFW (min) (r = -0.55, P = .02). Tumor necrosis factor α, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and its ratio with TIMP-1 did not correlate with any corneal nerve parameters. CONCLUSIONS Both inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides correlated with measures of corneal nerve morphology, supporting the link between the inflammatory and nervous systems.
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Colorado LH, Edwards K, Chinnery HR, Bazan HE. In vivo immune cell dynamics in the human cornea. Exp Eye Res 2020; 199:108168. [PMID: 32846151 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) allows the evaluation of the living human cornea at the cellular level. The non-invasive nature of this technique longitudinal, repeated examinations of the same tissue over time. Image analysis of two-dimensional time-lapse sequences of presumed immune cells with and without visible dendrites at the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus in the eyes of healthy individuals was performed. We demonstrated evidence that cells without visible dendrites are highly dynamic and move rapidly in the axial directions. A number of dynamic cells were observed and measured from three eyes of different individuals. The total average displacement and trajectory speeds of three cells without visible dendrites (N = 9) was calculated to be 1.12 ± 0.21 and 1.35 ± 0.17 μm per minute, respectively. One cell with visible dendrites per cornea was also analysed. Tracking dendritic cell dynamics in vivo has the potential to significantly advance the understanding of the human immune adaptive and innate systems. The ability to observe and quantify migration rates of immune cells in vivo is likely to reveal previously unknown insights into corneal and general pathophysiology and may serve as an effective indicator of cellular responses to intervention therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa H Colorado
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4069, Australia.
| | - Katie Edwards
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4069, Australia
| | - Holly R Chinnery
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Haydee E Bazan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience Center of Excellence, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans, 2020 Gravier St., Suite D, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
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C-Fiber Assays in the Cornea vs. Skin. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9110320. [PMID: 31718074 PMCID: PMC6896162 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9110320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
C-fibers are unmyelinated nerve fibers that transmit high threshold mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals that are associated with pain sensations. This review examines current literature on measuring altered peripheral nerve morphology and discusses the most relevant aspects of corneal microscopy, especially whether corneal imaging presents significant method advantages over skin biopsy. Given its relative merits, corneal confocal microscopy would seem to be a more practical and patient-centric approach than utilizing skin biopsies.
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