Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
A. Leonardi, P. Brun, M. Tavolato
2003
Citations
23
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
European journal of ophthalmology
Full text
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: TNF-a may play a significant role in severe forms of allergic conjunctivitis, with higher levels in tears and tissues correlated with disease severity.
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantify the presence of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) in allergic conjunctivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tears and peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC, n=6), vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC, n=12), and normal subjects (CT, n=12). From an additional six nonactive allergic patients, tears were collected before and after specific conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC). Upper tarsal conjunctival biopsies were obtained from five CT and five VKC patients. TNF-a in tears was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay and identified in tissues by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Tear TNF-a levels in VKC patients were significantly increased compared to CT (p=0.03), and were significantly correlated with the severity of the disease. No differences were found between SAC and CT tear samples. TNF-a serum levels were higher in VKC than CT; however, this difference was not statistically significant. After CAC, tear TNF-a levels were found increased in only one of six patients. In VKC tissues, TNF-a positive cells were significantly increased compared to CT (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS TNF-a may have a significant role in severe forms of allergic conjunctivitis. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2003; 13: 606-10).