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Csorba A, Kormányos K, Csidey M, Náray A, Kovács K, Németh O, Knézy K, Bausz M, Szigeti A, Szabó D, Corton M, Tory K, Nagy ZZ, Langenbucher A, Maka E, Szentmáry N. Examination of Subbasal Nerve Plexus and Central Corneal Stromal Microstructure in Subjects With Congenital Aniridia, Using in Vivo Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. Curr Eye Res 2024; 49:582-590. [PMID: 38444179 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2024.2320779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE During life up to 70% of aniridia subjects develop aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). AAK is characterized by limbal stem cell insufficiency, impaired corneal epithelial cell differentiation and abnormal cell adhesion, which leads to centripetal spreading vascularization, conjunctivalization, and thickening of the cornea. Our aim was to examine the subbasal nerve plexus and central corneal stromal microstructure in subjects with congenital aniridia, using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy CLSM. METHODS 31 eyes of 18 patients (55.6% males, mean age: 25.22 ± 16.35 years) with congenital aniridia and 46 eyes of 29 healthy subjects (41.4% males, mean age 30 ± 14.82 years) were examined using the Rostock Cornea Module of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph-III. At the subbasal nerve plexus, corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal total branch density (CTBD), and corneal nerve fiber width (CNFW) were analyzed using ACCMetrics software. Keratocyte density in the anterior, middle and posterior stroma was assessed manually. RESULTS The CNFD (2.02 ± 4.08 vs 13.99 ± 6.34/mm2), CNFL (5.78 ± 2.68 vs 10.56 ± 2.82 mm/mm2) and CTBD (15.08 ± 15.62 vs 27.44 ± 15.05/mm2) were significantly lower in congenital aniridia subjects than in controls (p < 0.001 for all). CNFW was significantly higher in aniridia subjects than in controls (0.03 ± 0.004 vs 0.02 ± 0.003 mm/mm2) (p = 0.003). Keratocyte density was significantly lower in all stromal layers of aniridia subjects than in controls (p < 0.001 for all). Stromal alterations included confluent keratocytes, keratocytes with long extensions and hyperreflective dots between keratocytes in aniridia. CONCLUSIONS Decrease in CNFD, CNFL, and CTBD, as well as increase in CNFW well refer to the congenital aniridia-associated neuropathy. The decreased keratocyte density and the stromal alterations may be related to an increased cell death in congenital aniridia, nevertheless, stromal changes in different stages of AAK have to be further analyzed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Csorba
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kitti Kormányos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Csidey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Annamária Náray
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Universität des Saarlandes - Campus Homburg, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Klaudia Kovács
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Németh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Markusovszky University Teaching Hospital, Szombathely, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Knézy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mária Bausz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Szigeti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Szabó
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marta Corton
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kálmán Tory
- MTA-SE Lendület Nephrogenetic Laboratory, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Zsolt Nagy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Erika Maka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Szentmáry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Center for Limbal Stem Cell and Congenital Aniridia Research, Universität des Saarlandes - Campus Homburg, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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Guan Y, Li F, Li N, Yang P. Decoding Behcet's Uveitis: an In-depth review of pathogenesis and therapeutic advances. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:133. [PMID: 38778397 PMCID: PMC11112928 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03123-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare but globally distributed vasculitis that primarily affects populations in the Mediterranean and Asian regions. Behcet's uveitis (BU) is a common manifestation of BD, occurring in over two-thirds of the patients. BU is characterized by bilateral, chronic, recurrent, non-granulomatous uveitis in association with complications such as retinal ischemia and atrophy, optic atrophy, macular ischemia, macular edema, and further neovascular complications (vitreous hemorrhage, neovascular glaucoma). Although the etiology and pathogenesis of BU remain unclear, numerous studies reveal that genetic factors (such as HLA-B51), dysregulated immune responses of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, infections (such as streptococcus), and environmental factors (such as GDP) are all involved in its development. Innate immunity, including hyperactivity of neutrophils and γδT cells and elevated NK1/NK2 ratios, has been shown to play an essential role in this disease. Adaptive immune system disturbance, including homeostatic perturbations, Th1, Th17 overaction, and Treg cell dysfunction, is thought to be involved in BU pathogenesis. Treatment of BU requires a tailored approach based on the location, severity of inflammation, and systemic manifestations. The therapy aims to achieve rapid inflammation suppression, preservation of vision, and prevention of recurrence. Systemic corticosteroids combined with other immunosuppressive agents have been widely used to treat BU, and beneficial effects are observed in most patients. Recently, biologics have been shown to be effective in treating refractory BU cases. Novel therapeutic targets for treating BU include the LCK gene, Th17/Treg balance, JAK pathway inhibition, and cytokines such as IL-17 and RORγt. This article summarizes the recent studies on BU, especially in terms of pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and classification, auxiliary examination, and treatment options. A better understanding of the significance of microbiome composition, genetic basis, and persistent immune mechanisms, as well as advancements in identifying new biomarkers and implementing objective quantitative detection of BU, may greatly contribute to improving the adequate management of BU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Guan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuzhen Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Peizeng Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Province Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450052, People's Republic of China.
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Levine H, Tovar A, Cohen AK, Cabrera K, Locatelli E, Galor A, Feuer W, O'Brien R, Goldhagen BE. Automated identification and quantification of activated dendritic cells in central cornea using artificial intelligence. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:480-485. [PMID: 37385344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To validate an algorithm quantifying activated dendritic cells (aDCs) using in-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images. METHODS IVCM images obtained at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. ADCs were quantified both with an automated algorithm and manually. Intra-class-correlation (ICC) and a Bland-Altman plot were used to compare automated and manual counts. As a secondary analysis, individuals were grouped by Dry Eye (DE) subtype: 1) aqueous-tear deficiency (ATD; Schirmer's test ≤5 mm); 2) evaporative DE (EDE; TBUT≤5s); or 3) control (Schirmer's test>5 mm; TBUT>5s) and ICCs were re-examined. RESULTS 173 non-overlapping images from 86 individuals were included in this study. The mean age was 55.2 ± 16.7 years; 77.9% were male; 20 had ATD; 18 EDE and 37 were controls. The mean number of aDCs in the central cornea quantified automatically was 0.83 ± 1.33 cells/image and manually was 1.03 ± 1.65 cells/image. A total of 143 aDCs were identified by the automated algorithm and 178 aDCs were identified manually. While a Bland-Altman plot indicated a small difference between the two methods (0.19, p < 0.01), the ICC of 0.80 (p = 0.01) demonstrated excellent agreement. Secondarily, similar results were found by DE type with an ICC of 0.75 (p = 0.01) for the ATD group, 0.80 (p = 0.01) for EDE, and 0.82 (p = 0.01) for controls. CONCLUSIONS Quantification of aDCs within the central cornea may be successfully estimated using an automated machine learning based algorithm. While this study suggests that analysis using artificial intelligence has comparable results with manual quantification, further longitudinal research to validate our findings in more diverse populations may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Levine
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Arianna Tovar
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Adam K Cohen
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Kimberly Cabrera
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Elyana Locatelli
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - Anat Galor
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA
| | - William Feuer
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Robert O'Brien
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Brian E Goldhagen
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA; Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.
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Tajbakhsh Z, Jalbert I, Stapleton F, Briggs N, Golebiowski B. Diurnal changes and topographical distribution of ocular surface epithelial dendritic cells in humans, and repeatability of density and morphology assessment. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2023; 43:273-283. [PMID: 36592129 PMCID: PMC10108257 DOI: 10.1111/opo.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dendritic cells (DC) play a crucial role in ocular surface defence. DC can be visualised in vivo by confocal microscopy but have not yet been fully characterised in humans. This study investigated the diurnal variation, topographical distribution and repeatability of DC density and morphology measurements. METHODS In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was conducted on 20 healthy participants (mean age 32.7 ± 6.4 years, 50% female) at baseline and repeated after 30 minutes, 2, 6 and 24 h. Images were captured at the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, limbus and bulbar conjunctiva. DC were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for cell body size, presence of dendrites, and presence of long and thick dendrites. Mixed-model analysis, non-parametric analyses, Bland and Altman plots, coefficient of repeatability (CoR) and kappa were used. RESULTS There were no significant changes in DC density (p ≥ 0.74) or morphology (p > 0.07) at any location over the 24-h period. The highest DC density was observed at the corneal limbus followed by the peripheral cornea (p < 0.001), with the lowest density at the corneal centre, inferior whorl and bulbar conjunctiva. Most DC at the corneal periphery, limbus and bulbar conjunctiva had larger cell bodies compared with the corneal centre (p ≤ 0.01), and the presence of long dendrites was observed mostly at non-central locations. Day-to-day CoR for DC density ranged from ±28.1 cells/mm2 at the corneal centre to ±56.4 cells/mm2 at the limbus. Day-to-day agreement of DC morphology determined by kappa ranged from 0.5 to 0.95 for cell body size, 0.60 to 0.95 for presence of dendrites, and 0.55 to 0.80 for the presence of long dendrites at various locations. CONCLUSIONS No diurnal changes are apparent in corneal or conjunctival DC. Substantial topographical differences exist in DC density and morphology. IVCM provides good repeatability of DC density and acceptable agreement of DC morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Tajbakhsh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Isabelle Jalbert
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nancy Briggs
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Blanka Golebiowski
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Chao C, Tajbakhsh Z, Stapleton F, Mobeen R, Madigan MC, Jalbert I, Briggs N, Golebiowski B. Corneal epithelial dendritic cells, tear neuropeptides and corneal nerves continue to be affected more than 12 months after LASIK. Acta Ophthalmol 2022; 101:e302-e314. [PMID: 36250753 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE LASIK causes corneal nerve damage and may affect the neuro-immune crosstalk. This study examined the effects of LASIK on corneal epithelial dendritic cells (CEDC) density and morphology and explored their relationships with corneal nerves and tear neuropeptides. A grading system was developed to assess CEDC morphology. METHODS Intra- and inter-observer repeatability of the CEDC morphology grading system was established using kappa (κ). In vivo confocal microscope images of the central cornea were captured from 20 participants who had undergone LASIK 12-16 months earlier and 20 controls (age 18-32 years, 55%F). CEDC density was counted manually, and CEDC morphology was assessed using a new grading system. CEDC sub-types (contacting nerves [CEDCc] and not contacting nerves [CEDCnc]) were also assessed. Differences in CEDC density and morphology were examined using mixed models and chi-squared test. Relationships between CEDC and corneal nerve parameters and tear substance P were explored using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS Excellent intra- and inter-observer repeatability was demonstrated for the grading system (κ = 0.82-0.97). In post-LASIK participants, CEDC density was lower compared with controls (5 [0-34] vs. 21 [7-77] cells/mm2 ; p = 0.01), and the proportion of CEDC with thick dendrites was higher (55%-73% vs. 11%-21%, p < 0.003). Higher tear substance P levels were associated with higher CEDC density (rho = 0.48, p = 0.003). Fewer nerve interconnections were observed in participants in whom CEDC had dendrites (p = 0.03). CEDC sub-types followed a similar pattern to CEDC. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that CEDC may remain altered more than 12 months post-LASIK. The association with substance P suggests a role for CEDC in corneal neurogenic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Chao
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zahra Tajbakhsh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rabia Mobeen
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michele C Madigan
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Isabelle Jalbert
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nancy Briggs
- Stats Central, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Density and distribution of dendritiform cells in the peripheral cornea of healthy subjects using in vivo confocal microscopy. Ocul Surf 2022; 26:157-165. [PMID: 35998820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2022.07.008] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To establish dendritiform cell (DC) density and morphological parameters in the central and peripheral cornea in a large healthy cohort, using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). METHODS A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in 85 healthy volunteers (n = 85 eyes). IVCM images of corneal center and four peripheral zones were analyzed for DC density and morphology to compare means and assess correlations (p < 0.05 being statistically significant). RESULTS Central cornea had lower DC density (40.83 ± 5.14 cells/mm2; mean ± SEM) as compared to peripheral cornea (75.42 ± 2.67 cells/mm2, p < 0.0001). Inferior and superior zones demonstrated higher DC density (105.01 ± 7.12 and 90.62 ± 4.62 cells/mm2) compared to the nasal and temporal zones (59.93 ± 3.42 and 51.77 ± 2.98 cells/mm2, p < 0.0001). Similarly, lower DC size, field and number of dendrites were observed in the central as compared to the average peripheral cornea (p < 0.0001), with highest values in the inferior zone (p < 0.001 for all, except p < 0.05 for number of dendrites in superior zone). DC parameters did not correlate with age or gender. Inter-observer reliability was 0.987 for DC density and 0.771-0.922 for morphology. CONCLUSION In healthy individuals, the peripheral cornea demonstrates higher DC density and larger morphology compared to the center, with highest values in the inferior zone. We provide the largest normative cohort for sub-stratified DC density and morphology, which can be used in future clinical trials to compare differential changes in diseased states. Furthermore, as DC parameters in the peripheral zones are dissimilar, random sampling of peripheral cornea may be inaccurate.
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Kolkedi Z, Csutak A, Szalai E. Corneal Cellular and Neuroinflammatory Changes After SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cornea 2022; 41:879-885. [PMID: 35349500 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000003018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal cellular and ultrastructural changes and to quantify the neuroinflammatory process in patients after mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. METHODS Thirty patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection and 41 age-matched controls were examined. All subjects underwent in vivo confocal microscopy of the corneal cell layers and subbasal nerve fibers with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II. Semiautomated analysis of basal epithelial, anterior and posterior stromal keratocyte, and endothelial cell density was performed. Dendritic cell (DC) density and area were also calculated, and subbasal nerve plexus morphology was analyzed. RESULTS The posterior stromal keratocyte density was significantly lower in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection ( P = 0.0006). DC density in the central cornea was significantly higher in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection ( P = 0.0004). There was a significant difference in the DC area between the 2 groups ( P < 0.0001). Significantly altered subbasal nerve fiber morphology was detected in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with healthy volunteers ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Corneal cellular and ultrastructural changes demonstrated in this study suggest neuroinflammatory consequences of COVID-19 in the cornea in the absence of ophthalmoscopic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsofia Kolkedi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary
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Frutos-Rincón L, Gómez-Sánchez JA, Íñigo-Portugués A, Acosta MC, Gallar J. An Experimental Model of Neuro-Immune Interactions in the Eye: Corneal Sensory Nerves and Resident Dendritic Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062997. [PMID: 35328417 PMCID: PMC8951464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is an avascular connective tissue that is crucial, not only as the primary barrier of the eye but also as a proper transparent refractive structure. Corneal transparency is necessary for vision and is the result of several factors, including its highly organized structure, the physiology of its few cellular components, the lack of myelinated nerves (although it is extremely innervated), the tightly controlled hydration state, and the absence of blood and lymphatic vessels in healthy conditions, among others. The avascular, immune-privileged tissue of the cornea is an ideal model to study the interactions between its well-characterized and dense sensory nerves (easily accessible for both focal electrophysiological recording and morphological studies) and the low number of resident immune cell types, distinguished from those cells migrating from blood vessels. This paper presents an overview of the corneal structure and innervation, the resident dendritic cell (DC) subpopulations present in the cornea, their distribution in relation to corneal nerves, and their role in ocular inflammatory diseases. A mouse model in which sensory axons are constitutively labeled with tdTomato and DCs with green fluorescent protein (GFP) allows further analysis of the neuro-immune crosstalk under inflammatory and steady-state conditions of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Frutos-Rincón
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (L.F.-R.); (A.Í.-P.); (M.C.A.); (J.G.)
- The European University of Brain and Technology-NeurotechEU, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - José Antonio Gómez-Sánchez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (L.F.-R.); (A.Í.-P.); (M.C.A.); (J.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-91-9594
| | - Almudena Íñigo-Portugués
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (L.F.-R.); (A.Í.-P.); (M.C.A.); (J.G.)
| | - M. Carmen Acosta
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (L.F.-R.); (A.Í.-P.); (M.C.A.); (J.G.)
- The European University of Brain and Technology-NeurotechEU, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
| | - Juana Gallar
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández—Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain; (L.F.-R.); (A.Í.-P.); (M.C.A.); (J.G.)
- The European University of Brain and Technology-NeurotechEU, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Sanitaria de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
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Latifi G, Katoozpour R, Ghaffari R, Abdi P, Kasiri M, Berijani S. In vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Corneal Changes in Acute Endothelial Rejection. J Curr Ophthalmol 2021; 33:291-297. [PMID: 34765817 PMCID: PMC8579796 DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_211_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the microstructural corneal changes during acute endothelial graft rejection and following treatment using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Methods Patients with a clinical diagnosis of severe acute endothelial graft rejection following penetrating keratoplasty were included in this study. IVCM was performed on the 1st day the patient presented with rejection signs and at the time of clinical resolution. Results Twenty-three patients were included in this study. Inflammatory cells appeared as dendritic cells (DCs) and less frequently, as non-DCs in basal epithelial and subbasal areas. Activated keratocytes (AKs) (type 1: large cells with visible cytoplasmic processes; type 2: elongated and spindle-shaped keratocytes) were visible in acute phase. Following resolution, type 1 AKs considerably reduced, but type 2 cells were more often persisted. Multiple types of keratic precipitates (KPs) were also visible in acute phase which resolved following resolution of rejection. Conclusions Acute graft rejection was associated with an increase in the number of DCs, activation of keratocytes, and aggregation of various types of KPs. Inflammatory process subsided in almost all cases, but the IVCM changes did not return to normal early after clinical resolution of rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golshan Latifi
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramon Katoozpour
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Ghaffari
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Abdi
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Kasiri
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Berijani
- Cornea Department, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Corneal inflammatory cell infiltration predicts disease activity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15150. [PMID: 34312451 PMCID: PMC8313721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94605-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The assessment of disease activity is fundamental in the management of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Previous studies with small patient numbers found an increase of corneal immune cell infiltrates as a potential marker of inflammation in patients with CIDP. However, its clinical relevance remained unclear. The present study aimed to determine whether the amount of corneal inflammatory cells (CIC) measured by corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) detects disease activity in CIDP. CIC were measured in 142 CCM-investigations of 97 CIDP-patients. Data on clinical disease activity, disability (INCAT-ODSS) and need for therapy escalation at the timepoint of CCM, 3 and 6 months later were analyzed depending CIC-count. Pathological spontaneous activity during electromyography was examined as another possible biomarker for disease activity in comparison to CIC-count. An increased CIC-count at baseline was found in patients with clinical disease activity and disability progression in the following 3-6 months. An increase to more than 25 CIC/mm2 had a sensitivity of 0.73 and a specificity of 0.71 to detect clinical disease activity and a sensitivity of 0.77 and a specificity of 0.64 to detect disability progression (increasing INCAT-ODSS) in the following 6 months. An increase to more than 50 CIC/mm2 had a sensitivity of about 0.51 and a specificity of 0.91 to detect clinical disease activity and a sensitivity of 0.53 and a specificity of 0.80 to detect disability progression. CIC count is a non-invasive biomarker for the detection of disease activity in the following 6 months in CIDP.
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11
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Chinnery HR, Zhang XY, Wu CY, Downie LE. Corneal immune cell morphometry as an indicator of local and systemic pathology: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2021; 49:729-740. [PMID: 34240800 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The corneal epithelium contains a population of resident immune cells commonly referred to as dendritic cells (DCs), or Langerhans cells. A unique advantage of the transparent cornea being situated at the surface of the eye is that these cells can be readily visualised using in vivo confocal microscopy. Over the past decade, interest in the involvement of corneal DCs in a range of ocular and systemic diseases has surged. For most studies, the number of corneal DCs has been the main outcome of interest. However, more recently attention has shifted towards understanding how DC morphology may provide insights into the inflammatory status of the cornea, and in some cases, the health of the peripheral nervous system. In this review, we provide examples of recent methodologies that have been used to classify and measure corneal DC morphology and discuss how this relates to local and systemic inflammatory conditions in humans and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly R Chinnery
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xin Yuan Zhang
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ching Yi Wu
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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12
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Guerrero-Moreno A, Baudouin C, Melik Parsadaniantz S, Réaux-Le Goazigo A. Morphological and Functional Changes of Corneal Nerves and Their Contribution to Peripheral and Central Sensory Abnormalities. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:610342. [PMID: 33362474 PMCID: PMC7758484 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.610342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cornea is the most densely innervated and sensitive tissue in the body. The cornea is exclusively innervated by C- and A-delta fibers, including mechano-nociceptors that are triggered by noxious mechanical stimulation, polymodal nociceptors that are excited by mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli, and cold thermoreceptors that are activated by cooling. Noxious stimulations activate corneal nociceptors whose cell bodies are located in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and project central axons to the trigeminal brainstem sensory complex. Ocular pain, in particular, that driven by corneal nerves, is considered to be a core symptom of inflammatory and traumatic disorders of the ocular surface. Ocular surface injury affecting corneal nerves and leading to inflammatory responses can occur under multiple pathological conditions, such as chemical burn, persistent dry eye, and corneal neuropathic pain as well as after some ophthalmological surgical interventions such as photorefractive surgery. This review depicts the morphological and functional changes of corneal nerve terminals following corneal damage and dry eye disease (DED), both ocular surface conditions leading to sensory abnormalities. In addition, the recent fundamental and clinical findings of the importance of peripheral and central neuroimmune interactions in the development of corneal hypersensitivity are discussed. Next, the cellular and molecular changes of corneal neurons in the TG and central structures that are driven by corneal nerve abnormalities are presented. A better understanding of the corneal nerve abnormalities as well as neuroimmune interactions may contribute to the identification of a novel therapeutic targets for alleviating corneal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christophe Baudouin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, IHU FOReSIGHT, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, IHU FOReSIGHT, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, Paris, France.,Department of Ophthalmology, Ambroise Paré Hospital, AP-HP, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
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13
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Chopra R, Mulholland PJ, Hau SC. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Morphologic Features and Cyst Density in Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol 2020; 217:38-48. [PMID: 32278770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To correlate in vivo confocal microscopy morphologic features (IVCM-MF) and Acanthamoeba cyst density (ACD) with final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Patient demographics, treatment outcome, and corresponding IVCM-MF performed at the acute stage of infection were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were microbiological positive AK cases seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital between February 2013 and October 2017. Statistical significance was assessed by multinomial regression and multiple linear regression analysis. Main outcome measure was final BCVA. RESULTS A total of 157 eyes (157 patients) had AK. Absence of single-file round/ovoid objects was associated with a BCVA of 6/36 to 6/9 (odds ratio [OR] 8.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55-42.56, P = .013) and ≥6/6 (OR 10.50; 95% CI, 2.12-51.92, P = .004) when compared to no perception of light to 6/60. Absence of rod/spindle objects was associated with a BCVA of ≥6/6 (OR 4.55; 95% CI, 1.01-20.45, P = .048). Deep stromal/ring infiltrate was associated with single-file round/ovoid objects (OR 7.78; 95% CI, 2.69-22.35, P < .001), rod/spindle objects (OR 7.05; 95% CI, 2.11-23.59, P = .002), and binary round/ovoid objects (OR 3.45; 95% CI, 1.17-10.14, P = .024). There was a positive association between ACD and treatment duration (β = 0.14, P = .049), number of IVCM-MF (β = 0.34, P = .021), and clusters of round/ovoid objects (β = 0.29, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Specific IVCM-MF correlate with ACD and clinical staging of disease, and are prognostic indicators for a poorer visual outcome.
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I-a lowCD11b high DC Regulates the Immune Response in the Eyes of Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis. Mediators Inflamm 2020; 2020:6947482. [PMID: 32256194 PMCID: PMC7085850 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6947482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg) have been reported to be a negative regulator in the immune response. These cells are widely distributed in the liver, spleen, and lung. However, the status and function of DCreg in the eyes and disease are still not very clear. Herein, we found that the number of I-alowCD11bhigh DC increased in the eye and spleen at the recovery stage of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), which is a mouse model for autoimmune uveitis. These cells expressed lower levels of CD80, CD86, and CD54 than the mature DCs and expressed interleukin 10 (IL-10), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) as well. Moreover, these DCreg can regulate the development of EAU by promoting CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. The increased interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the aqueous humor of EAU participates in inducing DCreg to alleviate the symptom of EAU. Furthermore, DCreg was found to exist in the eyes of normal mice. Aqueous humor, containing a certain concentration of IL-10, TGF-β, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IDO, and nitric oxide (NO), induced the tolerance of DCreg in normal eyes. It can be concluded that DCreg exists in the eyes and plays a protective role in inflamed eyes. These DCreg induced by IFN-γ might be used as a strategy to develop therapy for EAU management.
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Kalogeropoulos D, Papoudou-Bai A, Lane M, Goussia A, Charchanti A, Moschos MM, Kanavaros P, Kalogeropoulos C. Antigen-presenting cells in ocular surface diseases. Int Ophthalmol 2020; 40:1603-1618. [PMID: 32107692 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-020-01329-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To review the role of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases (OSD). METHODS A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items. RESULTS APCs have the ability to initiate and direct immune responses and are found in most lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. APCs continuously sample their environment, present antigens to T cells and co-ordinate immune tolerance and responses. Many different types of APCs have been described and there is growing evidence that these cells are involved in the pathogenesis of OSD. OSD is a complex term for a myriad of disorders that are often characterized by ocular surface inflammation, tear film instability and impairment of vision. CONCLUSIONS This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the immunotopographical distribution of APCs in the normal ocular surface. APCs appear to play a critical role in the pathology of a number of conditions associated with OSD including infectious keratitis, ocular allergy, dry eye disease and pterygium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Papoudou-Bai
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Mark Lane
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anna Goussia
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Antonia Charchanti
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Marilita M Moschos
- First Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Athens G. Gennimatas, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kanavaros
- Department of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chris Kalogeropoulos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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16
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Nien CW, Lee CY, Chao SC, Hsu HJ, Huang JY, Yeh CB, Chen HC, Sun CC, Lin HY, Yang SF. Effect of Uveitis on the Development of Keratopathy: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:5053-5059. [PMID: 30357399 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of uveitis on the development of various keratopathies via the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan. Methods Approximately 1 million patients were randomly sampled from the registry of the NHIRD. Patients diagnosed with uveitis by ophthalmologists were enrolled in the study group after exclusion. Each individual in the study group was age and sex matched to four non-uveitis individuals who serve as the control group. In addition to keratopathy, other possible risk factors and medications were included in the multivariate model, and the effects of different subtypes of uveitis for developing keratopathies were also analyzed. Results A total of 4773 uveitis patients (2662 male and 2111 female) and 19,092 non-uveitis patients (10,648 male and 8444 female) were enrolled. There were 406 events of keratopathy in the study group, and another 764 events occurred in the control group. A higher incidence rate was found in the study group after adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.772), with a greater cumulative probability (P < 0.0001). For the subgroup analysis, anterior uveitis (aHR = 1.765) and panuveitis (aHR = 3.386) increased the risk of developing keratopathies. Moreover, male sex was associated with a higher aHR than female sex for developing keratopathies in the study group. Conclusions The presence of uveitis significantly elevates the risk for developing keratopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan-Wei Nien
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of Optometry, College of Medicine and Life Science, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chun Chao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Optometry, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Jui Hsu
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yang Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Bin Yeh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Center for Tissue Engineering, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chin Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,Department of Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Lin
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Optometry, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,Department of Exercise and Health Promotion, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Fa Yang
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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17
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The role of ocular dendritic cells in uveitis. Immunol Lett 2019; 209:4-10. [PMID: 30926373 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) act as a bridge between innate and adoptive immunity. They are widely distributed in various tissues and organs. Resident ocular DCs are found in the peripheral margins and juxtapapillary areas of the retina, usually in an immature state. During inflammation, DCs are activated and participate in the development of uveitis, an ocular inflammatory disease. Herein, the characteristics and status of DCs in uveitis, the possible factors affecting the status of DCs, and the clinical methods for detecting the DCs in patients are described.
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18
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Avetisov SE, Surnina ZV, Troickaya NA, Pateyuk LS, Velieva IA, Gamidov AA, Sidamonidze AL. [Results of laser confocal microscopy of the cornea in viral uveitis (a preliminary report)]. Vestn Oftalmol 2019; 135:53-58. [PMID: 30830075 DOI: 10.17116/oftalma201913501153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Herpesviruses involve neurotropic activity (they affect nerve cells) and have the ability to induce an immune response (a special tropism for immune tissue), which provides a valid reason for studying the possibilities of visualizing nerve fibers of the cornea and Langerhans cells (LC) in viral uveitis (with prospective applications in early diagnosis). PURPOSE To evaluate the results of laser corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) in viral uveitis of varying localization. MATERIAL AND METHODS The main study group included 23 patients (23 eyes) diagnosed with unilateral herpesviral uveitis (chorioretinitis), the patients' age varied from 18 to 79 years. The control group comprised 19 healthy volunteers (38 eyes) aged 20 to 75 years. In addition, the paired eyes of the main group patients were examined. In all patients, standard ophthalmologic examination was complemented with CCM performed on the HRT III device with a corneal module, followed by analysis of the course and structure of corneal nerve fibers (CNF) using copyrighted software Liner 1.2. CONCLUSION The preliminary results achieved in this study outline the prospects for further research on the state of cornea (in particular, changes in the course and structure of CNF, and the presence of dendritiform cells of Langerhans) with laser CCM in patients with uveitis of various etiologies. These morphological changes also has potential use as diagnostic markers of inflammation of the uveal tract. The main criteria for assessing the state of cornea in viral uveitis include the following: increased tortuosity of CNF, increase in the number and size of Langerhans cells. Further research - in particular, studying the integrated use of diagnostic methods necessary for the verification of viral uveitis, as well as detailed analysis of the history and clinical picture of the disease - is required to substantiate the inclusion of laser confocal microscopy method in the algorithm for the diagnosis of viral uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Avetisov
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Department of Ophthalmology, 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991
| | - Z V Surnina
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - N A Troickaya
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - L S Pateyuk
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - I A Velieva
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - A A Gamidov
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
| | - A L Sidamonidze
- Research Institute of Eye Diseases, 11A Rossolimo St., Moscow, Russian Federation, 119021
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Hau S, Clarke B, Thaung C, Larkin DFP. Longitudinal changes in corneal leucocyte density in vivo following transplantation. Br J Ophthalmol 2018; 103:1035-1041. [DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AimsTo prospectively evaluate the changes in corneal leucocyte density with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) following transplantation and to determine if leucocyte density post-transplant is an indicator of graft rejection risk.MethodsIVCM imaging of cornea pre-transplant and post-transplant at 1 week, 1, 3 and 12 months. The changes in leucocyte density associated with diagnosis, vascularisation, type of keratoplasty, topical steroid and immunosuppression treatment, allograft rejection and failure within 4 years post-transplant were analysed.ResultsSub-basal nerve plexus total central leucocyte density (SBNP-TCLD) varied with diagnosis (p<0.001), interval post-transplant (p<0.001), degree of vascularisation (p=0.001) and rejection episodes in eyes off topical steroid (p=0.01). The highest SBNP-TCLD was found in eyes with inflammation pre-transplant. Mean 12-month SBNP-TCLD in eyes which had rejection episodes was almost double that in eyes which did not (79.0 and 39.8 cells/mm2, respectively). SBNP-TCLD >63.5 cells/mm2 was associated with a higher risk of rejection within 1 year (p=0.04) and 4 years (p=0.007). Changes in leucocyte density on the donor endothelium significantly differed between penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty grafts (p<0.01) and in those in which rejection episodes were observed (p<0.001).ConclusionsLeucocyte density varies with corneal diagnosis, extent of vascularisation and interval post-transplant. Topical steroid treatment is associated with reduced leucocyte density and risk of graft rejection. Higher endothelium leucocyte density correlates significantly with previous or subsequent rejection episodes. Leucocyte density measurement by IVCM may be useful in identifying transplants at risk of rejection.
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20
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Dendritic cell maturation in the corneal epithelium with onset of type 2 diabetes is associated with tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 9. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14248. [PMID: 30250206 PMCID: PMC6155153 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32410-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a low-grade inflammation; however, mechanisms leading to this inflammation in specific tissues are not well understood. The eye can be affected by diabetes; thus, we hypothesized that inflammatory changes in the eye may parallel the inflammation that develops with diabetes. Here, we developed a non-invasive means to monitor the status of inflammatory dendritic cell (DC) subsets in the corneal epithelium as a potential biomarker for the onset of inflammation in type 2 diabetes. In an age-matched cohort of 81 individuals with normal and impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, DCs were quantified from wide-area maps of the corneal epithelial sub-basal plexus, obtained using clinical in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). With the onset of diabetes, the proportion of mature, antigen-presenting DCs increased and became organized in clusters. Out of 92 plasma proteins analysed in the cohort, tumor necrosis factor receptor super family member 9 (TNFRSF9) was associated with the observed maturation of DCs from an immature to mature antigen-presenting phenotype. A low-grade ocular surface inflammation observed in this study, where resident immature dendritic cells are transformed into mature antigen-presenting cells in the corneal epithelium, is a process putatively associated with TNFRSF9 signalling and may occur early in the development of type 2 diabetes. IVCM enables this process to be monitored non-invasively in the eye.
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21
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Fiore T, Torroni G, Iaccheri B, Cerquaglia A, Lupidi M, Giansanti F, Cagini C. Confocal scanning laser microscopy in patients with postoperative endophthalmitis. Int Ophthalmol 2018; 39:1071-1079. [PMID: 29654575 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-018-0916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate alterations of corneal layers in eyes treated for acute postoperative endophthalmitis. METHODS In this retrospective, nonrandomized comparative study, eyes treated with 25 gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for acute post-cataract endophthalmitis (group A) were compared to eyes receiving uneventful cataract surgery (group B) and uneventful 25 gauge PPV for epiretinal membrane (group C). After a minimum follow-up of 8 months from last surgical procedure, laser scanning in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was performed. RESULTS Twelve eyes for each group were recruited. Comparing study eyes with control eyes of group B and C, no statistical difference was found in corneal epithelial cell density (p = n.s.), in density of nerve fibers (p = n.s.), mean grade of nerve reflectivity (p = n.s.), mean grade of nerve tortuosity (p = n.s.), mean grade of anterior keratocyte activation (p = n.s.), and corneal endothelium cell density (p = n.s.), whereas a statistically higher mean grade of posterior keratocyte activation was found in group A (p < 0.01). Epithelial and endothelial corneal morphologies were graded as regular in all groups. Langerhans cells and corneal dendritic-shaped hyper-reflective endothelial deposits were found in group A. Both findings were absent in group B and C, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS IVCM was a useful tool in the detection of microscopic chronic corneal abnormalities caused by postoperative endophthalmitis. These findings confirmed the presence of a subclinical chronic corneal inflammation localized to the posterior stroma that should be related to the infectious process. Future studies might clarify pathological processes in the acute phase of postoperative endophthalmitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fiore
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - G Torroni
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - B Iaccheri
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - A Cerquaglia
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - M Lupidi
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy. .,Centre de l'Odéon, 113 Boulevard St Germain, 75006, Paris, France. .,The Macula Onlus Foundation, 06121, Genoa, Italy.
| | - F Giansanti
- Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Translational Surgery and Medicine, University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - C Cagini
- Department of Biomedical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, University of Perugia, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Siak
- Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Service, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Padmamalini Mahendradas
- Department of Uveitis and Ocular Immunology, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Soon-Phaik Chee
- Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Service, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
- Ocular Inflammation and Immunology Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Bilateral Alterations in Corneal Nerves, Dendritic Cells, and Tear Cytokine Levels in Ocular Surface Disease. Cornea 2017; 35 Suppl 1:S65-S70. [PMID: 27617877 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0000000000000989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the recent literature regarding corneal imaging in human subjects using in vivo confocal microscopy. It also covers the recent literature on corneal immune cells, nerves, and tear cytokine levels in ocular surface diseases as well as corneal immune privilege. The significance of interactions between corneal immune cells and nerves in health, neurotrophic keratopathy, and infectious keratitis is discussed. Furthermore, bilateral alterations of immune cells and nerves in clinically unilateral corneal diseases and the link to changes of tear cytokines or neuropeptide levels in contralateral eyes are described. Recent studies reported increased density and morphologic changes of corneal dendritic cells in ocular surface disease that correlated with a decrease in subbasal nerve and corneal nerve density, suggesting potential interactions between the immune and nervous systems in the cornea. Although the relevance of tear cytokines is poorly understood, tear cytokines might have an important role in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases. In humans and experimental animal models, alterations in immune cells, cytokines, and immunomodulatory neuropeptide levels in contralateral eyes might mediate the incidence of bilateral infectious keratitis and loss of immune privilege of the cornea in bilateral corneal transplantation or neurotrophic keratopathy cases. The discovery of bilateral alterations of immune cells and nerves in ocular surface diseases is considered the missing link between the immune and nervous systems in the cornea, and demonstrates how studies of animal models and humans aid our understanding of human corneal disease phenomena.
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