Pong Jeffrey Chiu Fai, Chu Ching Yan, Li Wai Ying, Tang Ling Yin, Li Lu, Lui Wai Ting, Poon Terence Chuen Wai, Rao Srinivas K, Lam Dennis Shun Chiu, Wang Chi Chiu, Pang Chi Pui
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 3/F Hong Kong Eye Hospital, 147K Argyle St, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Arch Ophthalmol. 2011 Apr;129(4):453-61. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.41.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. We investigated the tear film proteome of patients with VKC to understand the pathologic characteristics of VKC.
Tear samples were collected from healthy volunteers and patients with VKC. Electrophoresis was performed to display the tear proteomic profiles according to VKC severity. The identities of differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by mass spectrometry and quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Impression cytology was performed on VKC conjunctival samples to demonstrate the cellular protein expression. Allergic sensitization was performed in mice to study the pathologic role of these proteins in VKC.
Hemopexin, an inflammatory protein, was elevated in the tear film of patients with VKC. The increased hemopexin concentration in VKC tears was significantly associated with disease severity. Impression cytology showed specific high hemopexin expression in dekeratinized conjunctival epithelium and necrotic macrophages in patients with VKC. Immunohistochemical examination of normal lacrimal tissues from mice showed that hemopexin was not expressed in any lacrimal apparatus. Under systemic and topical sensitization and challenge using hemopexin in mice, the affected eye had mild to moderate bead discharge, chemosis, and edema with excessive macrophage infiltration and conjunctival necrosis.
An association exists between tear hemopexin and the development and pathologic effects of VKC.
Increased hemopexin may have a role in the development of VKC.
春季角结膜炎（VKC）是一种病因和发病机制不明的慢性过敏性炎症性疾病。我们研究了VKC患者的泪膜蛋白质组，以了解VKC的病理特征。
从健康志愿者和VKC患者中收集泪液样本。根据VKC严重程度进行电泳以展示泪液蛋白质组图谱。通过质谱分析差异表达蛋白的身份，并通过酶联免疫吸附测定进行定量。对VKC结膜样本进行印片细胞学检查以显示细胞蛋白表达。在小鼠中进行过敏致敏以研究这些蛋白在VKC中的病理作用。
血红素结合蛋白是一种炎症蛋白，在VKC患者的泪膜中升高。VKC泪液中血红素结合蛋白浓度的增加与疾病严重程度显著相关。印片细胞学显示VKC患者脱角化结膜上皮和坏死巨噬细胞中血红素结合蛋白特异性高表达。对小鼠正常泪腺组织的免疫组织化学检查显示，任何泪器中均未表达血红素结合蛋白。在小鼠中使用血红素结合蛋白进行全身和局部致敏及激发后，患眼出现轻度至中度的睑球粘连、球结膜水肿和水肿，伴有巨噬细胞过度浸润和结膜坏死。
泪液血红素结合蛋白与VKC的发生和病理效应之间存在关联。
血红素结合蛋白升高可能在VKC的发生中起作用。
