Review paper Immunology of the eye – selected data

2012

In the special and unique environment of the ocular surface, the two branches of immune response mechanisms fulfil distinct functions in distinct manner. Anyway, both systems interplay to create a balanced and stable system with e.g. limited blood and lymph supply of the cornea and exclusive sensitivity of the ocular tissues to prevent from infection or disease.

Sight is one of the most important senses that human beings possess. The ocular system is a complex structure equipped with mechanisms that prevent or limit damage caused by physical, chemical, infectious and environmental factors. These mechanisms include a series of anatomical, cellular and humoral factors that have been a matter of study. The cornea is not only the most powerful and important lens of the optical system, but also, it has been involved in many other physiological and pathological processes apart from its refractive nature; the morphological and histological properties of the cornea have been thoroughly studied for the last fifty years; drawing attention in its molecular characteristics of immune response. This paper will review the anatomical and physiological aspects of the cornea, conjunctiva and lacrimal apparatus, as well as the innate immunity at the ocular surface.

Developments in ophthalmology, 2010

The physiologically protective mucosal immune system of the ocular surface consists of lymphocytes, accessory leukocytes and soluble immune modulators. Their involvement has also been observed in inflammatory ocular surface diseases, including dry eye syndrome, and we have attempted here to describe their interaction. Our own results regarding the mucosal immune system of the human ocular surface are discussed together with the available literature on mucosal immunity and inflammatory ocular surface disease. The mucosa of the ocular surface proper (conjunctiva and cornea) is anatomically continuous with its mucosal adnexa (the lacrimal gland and lacrimal drainage system) and contains a mucosal immune system termed 'eye-associated lymphoid tissue' (EALT). This extends from the periacinar lacrimal-gland-associated lymphoid tissue along the excretory ducts into the conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and further into the lacrimal drainage-associated lymphoid tissue (L...

Eye, 1995

The mucosal immune system includes mucus mem branes of the gut, respiratory and urogenital tracts. Mucosa-specific, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs),

Mucosal Immunology, 2005

This immunologic role is mediated primarily through secretory IgA (S-IgA) antibodies, which are known to inhibit viral adhesion and internalization; prevent bacterial attachment, colonization, and activity; interfere with parasitic infestation; and reduce antigen-related damage in mucosal sites (Underdown and Schiff, 1986; Mestecky and McGhee, 1987; Childers et al., 1989; Ogra et al., 1999).Thus, the ocular mucosal immune system appears to protect the eye against allergic, inflammatory, and infectious disease, thereby promoting conjunctival and corneal integrity and preserving visual acuity. This chapter reviews the immunologic architecture and regulation of the ocular mucosal immune system and explores the impact of ocular infection and autoimmune disease on this system's structure and function. For information on nonmucosal aspects of ocular immunity, such as anterior chamber-associated immune deviation and retinal immunology, the reader may refer to several excellent sources

Cellular Immunology, 1991

International ophthalmology

To evaluate the immune cell subsets in conjunctival mucosa-associated-lymphoid-tissue (C-MALT) following challenge with antigen. Ten adult female Lewis rats were studied. Five rats received one drop (5 microL) of retinal S-antigen (500 microg/mL in phosphate buffered saline, PBS) instilled into the lower fornix twice daily for 10 consecutive days. Five rats received PBS only and served as controls for the experiment. Two days after the last instillation the animals were sacrificed and the orbital contents prepared for immunohistological staining. A panel of monoclonal antibodies was used: CD5, CD4, CD8, CD25, and CD45RA. The number of positive cells were counted in sections of epibulbar, forniceal, and tarsal conjunctiva. There was a significant increase in the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the conjunctiva of animals receiving retinal S-antigen when compared to control animals. Conjunctival instillation of retinal S-antigen causes an immune response in the C-MALT with a significan...

Investigative Ophthalmology Visual Science, 1975

Primary immunogenic uveitis was induced in the rabbit eye with a single injection of antigen into the vitreous, and secondary booster uveitis responses were induced two months later by intravenous administration of the same antigen. The distribution of immunoglobulin classes and the specificity of the antibodies produced were assessed early and late in the primary response and early and late in the secondary response, and were compared with the analogous responses in the spleen and regional lymph nodes. At each of these stages of intraocular antibody response, IgG formation was higher and IgM formation lower than that seen in organized lymphoid tissues, while the proportion of IgA-forming cells was similar to the low levels usually found in the spleen. A significant proportion of IgA-forming cells was found in the perilimbal conjunctiva, and even greater levels in the lacrimal glands. At each stage of the response, the proportion of immxinoglobulin-forming cells making antibody specific for the inciting ovalbumin antigen was surprisingly low, reaching only seven per cent during the late primary reaction and 18 per cent during the late secondary reaction.

Experimental Eye Research, 2010

The aim of our project was to test the hypothesis that patients with dry eye have a significant degree of inflammation and lymphocyte infiltration in conjunctival epithelium by using flow cytometry analysis of cells stored in cell culture medium. Impression cytology specimens were collected in 15 normal subjects and 15 dry eye patients. Samples collected from the right eye were placed in Phosphate Buffered Saline containing 0.05% paraformaldehyde (PFA), and samples from the left eye in cell culture medium containing 10% foetal calf serum (FCS). Phenotypic analysis was performed on cells derived from 21 dry eye patients and 16 healthy controls. The cells collected in FCS were stained for the expression of CK19, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD19, CD20, CD14 and HLA-DR, and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Documenta Ophthalmologica, 1986

Inflammatory processes can involve any tissue in the eye. Despite advances in therapy, the sequelae of inflammation continue to be a major cause of visual impairment. Knowledge of disease pathogenesis in clinical ocular inflammations remains imprecise, and defined models are crucial in developing this understanding and evolving rational approaches to treatment. This review analyzes the contributions that studies of the classical and Arthus ocular Arthus-type reactions have made as to how the eye functions as an immunological entity. The anticipated development of therapeutic agents that may modulate immune processes with remarkable specificity, gives a new impetus to such experimental studies.

Veterinární medicína, 2019

The canine eye is an immune-privileged organ that is provided with systems to prevent and control the local immune response, which could have a detrimental impact. The entry of blood-derived antigens is hindered by the blood-ocular barriers and potential invading pathogens are tackled by local antimicrobial molecules. Despite the existence of numerous immune-competent cells, the anterior chamber of the eye is characterised by low responsiveness. This review is focused on the innate and adaptive immunity employed to control health and disease in the canine eye.

The Journal of Immunology, 2004

Injection of Ag into the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye induces deviant immune responses. It has been proposed that Ag internalized by ocular APCs is presented in a tolerogenic fashion in the spleen. However, the nature and distribution of the Ag-bearing cells in the lymphoid organs remain unclear. Fluorescent-labeled Ag (dextran, BSA) injected into the AC of Lewis rats was detected in the subcapsular sinus of the right submandibular lymph nodes (LNs) and cervical LNs, the marginal zone of the spleen, and the medulla of the mesenteric LNs. In the spleen, Ag-bearing cells were CD1 ؉ , CD11b ؉ , ED1 ؉ , ED2 low , ED3 ؉ , CD86 low , OX6 ؉ , CD11c ؊ , ED5 ؊ and in the LNs were CD4 ؉ , CD8 ؉ , CD80 ؉ , and OX41 ؉ suggesting these were lymphoid organ resident macrophages. These Ag-bearing macrophages were located adjacent to CD4 ؉ cells,

Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2005

Purpose. To determine whether injection of a soluble antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), into the anterior chamber of cynomolgus monkey eyes would impair the ability of these animals to subsequently develop delayed hypersensitivity when confronted by this antigen in immunogenic form.

British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2002

Aim: To investigate the capability of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells to phagocytose T lymphocytes and to further analyse the immunobiological consequences of this phagocytosis. Methods: Human RPE cells pretreated or not by cytochalasin, a phagocytosis inhibitor, were co-cultured with T lymphocytes for different time points. Phagocytosis was investigated by optic microscopy, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. T cell proliferation was measured by 3 H thymidine incorporation. RPE interleukin 1β mRNA expression was quantified by real time PCR. Results: RPE cells phagocytose apoptotic and non-apoptotic T lymphocytes, in a time dependent manner. This is an active process mediated through actin polymerisation, blocked by cytochalasin E treatment. Inhibition of RPE cell phagocytosis capabilities within RPE-T cell co-cultures led to an increase of lectin induced T cell proliferation and an upregulation of interleukin 1β mRNA expression in RPE cells. Conclusions: It is postulated that T lymphocyte phagocytosis by RPE cells might, by decreasing the total number of T lymphocytes, removing apoptotic lymphocytes, and downregulating the expression of IL-1β, participate in vivo in the induction and maintenance of the immune privilege of the eye, preventing the development of intraocular inflammation.